Have you ever wondered what makes Zaxby's a standout player in the fast-food arena? With its delicious Southern-style chicken and unique dining experience, Zaxby's has made waves in the American restaurant scene. But their success isn't just about the food. It's driven by strategic distribution, market insight, and a robust growth plan. In this article, we'll explore the data that tells the story of Zaxby's rise, from the number of restaurants across the United States to their impact on local economies. Whether you're an F&B business owner, a potential investor, or simply curious about the industry, you'll find valuable insights that can shape your data-driven decisions.

How many Zaxby's restaurants are there in the United States?

With 987 Zaxby's restaurants spread across the United States as of June 4, 2025, it's clear that this premium quick-service chain is a significant player in the F&B industry. What sets Zaxby's apart is not just the volume of its locations, but how strategically they're placed to capture key markets.

Being among the largest 40 U.S. chains, Zaxby's has shown consistent growth over its 35-year journey, highlighting its expansive reach and brand appeal. This robust footprint ensures that whether you're planning to make an investment or expand your portfolio, Zaxby's presents numerous opportunities for data-driven decisions.

When analyzing where to focus, it's essential to note that Georgia stands out with a massive 26% of all locations, underscoring the state's critical role in Zaxby's overall strategy. Such insights are invaluable for stakeholders looking to understand market trends and consumer preferences within the quick-service restaurant industry.

Top 10 States and Territories with the most Zaxby's restaurants

• Georgia not only leads the list with the highest number of Zaxby's restaurants but also showcases a strong market presence, offering one restaurant for every 41.31K residents. This demonstrates Zaxby's' strategic focus in the state, capturing a significant portion of the population.
• South Carolina's concentration of restaurants is likewise impressive, with a lower population per restaurant ratio (48.12K) compared to many other states, revealing a robust penetration in the region.
• North Carolina and Alabama are key areas for the chain. North Carolina, with a noticeable 123 locations, supports one restaurant per 85.27K individuals. Alabama's density is stronger as it provides a restaurant for every 52.72K residents.
• While Florida boasts a large number of locations, the state's vast population results in a higher population per restaurant ratio of 178.98K, suggesting room for expansion.
• Kentucky, Virginia, and Arkansas, though hosting fewer restaurants, reflect strategic opportunities for growth. Their high population per restaurant ratios—135.39K, 388.00K, and 143.71K respectively—indicate potential markets for increased Zaxby's' presence.
• Tennessee, a moderately saturated market, offers one restaurant for every 68.98K residents, underscoring a balanced market exploitation.
• Mississippi's figures present a comparable opportunity to Tennessee, with a restaurant-sharing ratio of 80.43K, positioning it as a viable area for further market development.

Cities with the most number of Zaxby's restaurants in the United States

As you review the geographical distribution of Zaxby's locations, it's evident that Florida cities are leading the charge. Jacksonville holds the top spot with a noteworthy 14 locations, reinforcing Florida's significant presence. Additionally, other Florida cities such as Orlando, Ocala, and Tallahassee each host seven or more Zaxby's, indicating a strong market presence.

Georgia, the state with the most overall Zaxby's locations, sees notable representation through Atlanta and Marietta. While Atlanta's count may seem modest compared to its population, this number is telling of strategic market presence.

Moving to South Carolina, both Columbia and Spartanburg showcase a healthy number of seven locations each, aligning with regional demand. Similarly, Tennessee marks its place with Knoxville matching the seven-location mark, highlighting it as a significant hub for Zaxby's in the state.

These insights suggest that Zaxby's has effectively captured key urban markets across the southeastern United States, with well-distributed restaurant locations in major cities.

Total Zaxby's Restaurants Impact on the U.S. Market

Zaxby's remarkable presence in the U.S. market is not just in numbers but also in its significant contribution to the quick-service industry.

Growth Trajectory and Market Share

In 2025, with 987 locations spread across 19 states and territories, Zaxby's has solidified its reputation in a competitive marketplace. This growth trajectory is captured in their impressive sales figures, reaching $2.52 billion in 2023 and showing a steady 5% year-over-year growth. Such consistent growth highlights Zaxby's as a formidable player in the food and beverage industry, capturing a substantial market share amongst the top 40 U.S. chains.

Regional Influence and Consumer Preferences

The distribution of Zaxby's locations reveals critical insights into regional consumer preferences. Interestingly, Georgia holds the majority with 257 (26%) of all Zaxby's locations, showcasing the brand’s deep-rooted influence in the Southeast region.

These statistics underscore a strategic focus on areas where consumer demand for quick-service dining is high, further establishing Zaxby's as a preferred choice in localized markets. Such regional focus amplifies Zaxby's ability to cater to local tastes while driving its overall market presence.

Economic Impact on Local Communities

The economic impact of Zaxby's extends beyond its customer base. By creating numerous job opportunities and supporting local suppliers, Zaxby's plays a vital role in contributing to local economies. Its strategic expansions also offer investors lucrative opportunities in food-based commercial real estate and franchise ownership, promising sustained robust returns.

As you dive deeper into the numbers, it's evident that Zaxby's has positioned itself as a major player in the restaurant sector, influencing both the market dynamics and local economies across the United States.

Investor Insights: Zaxby's Restaurant's 2025 Vision

At the heart of Zaxby’s 2025 vision is a robust expansion and innovation strategy. With 987 stores currently in operation, Zaxby’s aims to push this number well beyond the 1,000 mark by the end of the year (Source). This growth is not solely about increasing store count; it's a strategic expansion into new, untapped markets. By refining their service and investing in tech solutions like contactless payment systems, Zaxby’s ensures seamless customer experiences.

Commitment to Sustainability

Zaxby’s 2025 vision includes a strong emphasis on sustainability, aligning with global trends towards environmentally responsible business practices. Their initiatives include reducing waste through efficient supply chain management and using sustainable materials in packaging. These steps not only meet the growing consumer demand for green practices but also offer cost efficiency in operations.

2025 Market Position Goal

Set on solidifying its position as a top player in the premium quick-service restaurant segment, Zaxby’s targets an impressive 6% increase in market share. A focus on quality and customer satisfaction has remained central to their approach, generating a 5% year-over-year growth in systemwide sales from 2023, elevating profits to a substantial $2.64 billion by 2025.  

Opportunities for Franchisees

Additionally, Zaxby’s extends a hand to potential franchisees with opportunities backed by high brand equity. As a partner, franchisees tap into the established Zaxby's success narrative while benefiting from its momentum and strategic market vision. Through their inclusive approach, Zaxby’s invites motivated individuals and investors alike to capitalize on its growth and elevate their community standing with a trusted brand.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Zaxby's stands as a formidable player in the U.S. restaurant market, showcasing consistent growth and a strong regional impact, particularly in the southern United States. With a keen focus on expansion, sustainability, and market positioning by 2025, Zaxby's offers promising avenues for franchisees and investors alike. Leveraging data-driven decisions could significantly enhance potential profitability and strategic alliances in this sector.

How xMap's Insights Help F&B Businesses and Investors

• Location Analysis: xMap AI provides detailed analytics regarding optimal locations for opening new Zaxby's restaurants. This data-driven strategy can guide franchisees to areas with high potential customer traffic to maximize investment returns.
• Competitor Mapping: Gain insights into competitive analysis with xMap AI’s visualization tools. Understand your proximity to competitors, which can help in strategically positioning your restaurant to capture market share effectively.
• Customer Demographics: With xMap AI, you can access comprehensive demographic data enabling targeted marketing strategies. Knowing your customer base better can tailor services and menu offerings that directly appeal to local tastes and preferences.
• Sales Forecasting: Utilize xMap AI’s predictive analytics to forecast sales and revenue trends. This can aid in financial planning and optimizing inventory management to prevent overstock or shortages, which contributes to improved operational efficiency.
• Site Relocation and Expansion Strategies: Leverage insights from xMap AI to evaluate the performance of current Zaxby's locations and identify potential areas for relocation or expansion based on data-backed feasibility studies.
• Consumer Behavior Tracking: xMap AI assists in monitoring and analyzing consumer behavior patterns, allowing businesses to adapt quickly to changing trends and maintain a competitive edge.