The national fast-casual chicken chain Zaxby’s will be soon opening a new location in New Smyrna Beach, according to a recent project filing with the State of Florida. The new store will be located at 2569 State Road 44, in a growing area relatively underpopulated by restaurants.
What Now Orlando recently spoke to Co-Franchisee Anthony Bartek, who will be running this location alongside his wife Courtney Blackburn.
“This will be our third one, after one location in Deland and another in Ormand Beach,” Mr. Bartek tells the publication.
When asked why he and Mrs. Blackburn decided to franchise with the brand, he explains “The business model and the brand itself is like a family. We had looked at other franchises and it just didn’t mesh. Zaxby’s had similar values to ours, was on the right trajectory, and Zach (the founder) is an amazing man.”
And why the New Smyrna Beach location?
“Growth. Compared to everywhere we’ve looked at, this seems like the next up and coming area—this was the main reason.”
When asked what offering best represents the brand, Mr. Bartek takes a pause.
“The chicken finger plate, but I like everything, so it’s hard to choose one.”
Founded in Statesboro, Georgia in 1990, Zaxby’s specializes in classic American renditions of battered chicken, such as wings, tenders, and chicken-topped salads. Boasting hundreds of locations throughout the continental United States, Bartek and Blackburn’s newest location will be the 4th Zaxby’s in the Central Florida area.
