Zaxby’s picks Jeff for location

YES, I know it's a chain! But it's news and it's about a restaurant. . . .
I've never tried anything from Zaxby's so I don't have a clue about them.

August 26, 2009 10:23 pm
Jeffersonville Evening News
http://www.newsandtribune.com/clarkcounty/local_story_238222533.html?keyword=secondarystory

Zaxby’s picks Jeff for location

By DAVID A. MANN
David.Mann@newsandtribune.com

Zaxby’s — a Southern restaurant chain known for its chicken dishes — is expected to open in Jeffersonville by the end of the year.

The restaurant, which will seat 89 patrons, is planned on Allison Lane in front of Meijer and Kohl’s, said Eric Goodman, vice president of development for Arc Property Investment, which is representing the franchisee.

A development plan — which includes a 3,600-square-foot restaurant with 56 parking spaces — was approved by the Jeffersonville Plan Commission on Tuesday.

“The most exciting thing about this is it’ll be the first [Zaxby’s] in Indiana,” Goodman said.

The company chose the location, not only because it’s in front of the two large stores, but also because of its proximity to Jeffersonville High School, Goodman said.

He said the restaurants eclectic causal atmosphere would be attractive to the younger crowd.

Zaxby’s is known for chicken fingers, Buffalo wings and sauces. It also offers prepared-at-order sandwiches and salads, called “zalads.”

It was founded in Statesboro, Ga., in 1990 and is headquartered in Athens, Ga.

The restaurant has more than 475 locations in 11 states — Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. It has more than a dozen Kentucky locations; the closest to Jeffersonville are in Shelbyville or Elizabethtown.

Construction of the Jeffersonville location would likely start in mid-September. The building will take between 60 and 90 days to complete and should be open by late this year, he said.

“It’s a great franchise,” Goodman said, noting its been able to survive in the economic downturn.

He said his company plans to expand the brand’s presence in the metropolitan area, perhaps opening stores in Louisville.

They've actually got really good chicken.

Hot Dog! Finally one of my fav chains is going to be three minutes out the door. Now they only need to build a BC Roosters there plus a Boombozz and I'll be all set.

I LOVE their salads. They're huge. I always get the grilled chicken salad and they put those little french fried onions on them. mmmmmmm

They actually do have pretty good chicken. Personally I like Raising Canes a little better, but I'll take a Zaxby's.

Zaxby's got me through my MA at WKU and it was always a frequent stop when driving down 65, until about 3 or 4 years ago when the chicken took a serious turn for the worst.

I'll give them another shot for sure, but my last visit was so disappointing i never bothered to return

Zaxby's is one of my all time favorite places to eat. We have one in Shelbyville not far from my house. That said, back in '06, they offered us to franchise 7 of them, but wanted all of that money up front, and a very aggressive layout of the plan. That's the only thing I don't like. Their franchising plan is way too aggressive in that they have a goal to have 70% of the #1 restaurant in every market. Well, guess what the #1 restaurant in every market is? McDonald's.....Zaxby's isn't the kind of place that they could have 25 - 30 in Louisville, etc......that's why you mostly see them surrounding big cities, and not in those counties.