Zaxby's
Zaxby's franchises quick-casual dining restaurants featuring an upscale menu of chicken fingers, buffalo wings, salads, sandwiches, and promotional items complemented by unique brand sauces. The business model grants franchises for single or multiple restaurants under proprietary systems, marks, operating standards, and development schedules, with total investments ranging from $1.4M to $3.8M. It targets consumers seeking fresh, prepared-to-order meals via dine-in, carry-out, drive-thru, or delivery in the fast-casual chicken segment.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
6% royalty + 1.5% national marketing fund (up to 4% total weekly marketing including local co-op/multi-DMA) + $0.06 per transaction technology fee
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
This franchise did not provide Item 19 financial performance data.
Be careful if you are interested in investing. The lack of financial performance representations may indicate limited data or varying results across franchises.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How Zaxby's Compares to Other Fast Casual Franchises
Key Insights
- Higher investment than 96% of Fast Casual franchises
- Top 10 largest franchise system in Fast Casual
- Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Fast Casual
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Zaxby's Current | $1.4M - $3.8M | $35K | 6.0% | 826 |
| Tropical Smoothie Cafe | $300K - $721K | $35K | 6.0% | 1,371 |
| TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFÉ | $300K - $721K | $35K | 6.0% | 1,371 |
| FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) | $379K - $1.4M | $20K | 6.0% | 1,248 |
| Qdoba | $548K - $1.3M | $40K | 5.0% | 652 |
| CHICK-FIL-A License Program | $586K - $3.3M | N/A | 10.0% | 412 |
Fast Casual Average 107 franchises | $532K - $1.2M | $39K | 5.6% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 107 Fast Casual franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+2 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for Zaxby's franchisees (2010 - 2025)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
No litigation involving franchisees reported in the FDD.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a Zaxby's franchise?
The total initial investment to open a Zaxby's franchise ranges from $1,445,000 to $3,810,500. This includes a franchise fee of $35,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 6.0% of gross sales.
How many Zaxby's franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, Zaxby's has 826 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 1994.
Can you get an SBA loan for a Zaxby's franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for Zaxby's franchises. Historical data shows 134 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for Zaxby's franchisees, with an average loan amount of $1,320,917. The historical default rate is 1.5%.
Is Zaxby's a good franchise to buy?
Zaxby's shows several positive indicators: established brand with 826+ locations, low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
Interested in Zaxby's?
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