Atlanta — Zaxbys®, an Atlanta-based QSR franchise, is entering the travel hospitality sector through a multi-unit agreement with Areas USA, the nation’s largest privately held travel hospitality company. The deal will develop five restaurants at Florida Turnpike service plazas, and the team recently opened the first unit on Sept. 29 at the Turkey Lake Service Plaza in Orlando, Fla.
The deal marks Zaxbys’ largest non-traditional development agreement to date.
As consumers increasingly seek recognizable restaurant brands wherever they travel, Zaxbys is expanding beyond traditional freestanding restaurants into heavily frequented destinations that offer greater convenience and introduce the brand to new audiences.
“Today’s guests expect convenience without compromising on quality, and this partnership allows us to meet them where they are,” says Russ Holland, chief development officer at Zaxbys. “Working with Areas USA enables us to introduce the Zaxbys experience to millions of travelers each year while continuing to build on our non-traditional development strategy. We’re excited to expand into one of Florida’s most heavily traveled corridors alongside a partner that shares our commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences.”
The Areas agreement, part of Areas’ longstanding partnership with Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise to enhance the state’s service plazas, establishes a scalable model for future growth while reinforcing Zaxbys’ potential across broader non-traditional environments. Zaxbys is actively exploring opportunities within airports, colleges and universities, military installations and other high-traffic destinations.
Founded in 1990, Zaxbys has grown to more than 1,000 restaurants in 23 states. For more information, visit www.zaxbys.com.
Areas USA is a subsidiary of Areas Global, headquartered in Barcelona, Spain. Areas USA operates more than 400 locations across 27 airports and 12 travel plazas. The company’s airport portfolio includes Los Angeles International, Minneapolis-St. Paul International, Miami International, Chicago O’Hare International, Houston William P. Hobby, Newark Liberty International and Hartsfield-Jackson International.
SOURCE: Zaxbys