Chicken finger favorite Zaxbys announces further expansion in Chicago suburbs

Zaxbys, the popular fast-casual chicken chain from Georgia, announced its second Chicago-area development deal as it looks to expand its footprint in the Midwest.

The seven-restaurant development deal comes six months after the brand opened its first Illinois location at 13429 Illinois Route 59 in Plainfield in January.

“The response we've seen in Chicagoland has validated what we believed about the market from the beginning,” said Russ Holland, chief development officer at Zaxbys, in a news release. “Between the success of our Plainfield opening and the strong interest from experienced operators, we're building meaningful momentum in the region. This second development agreement is another important step in establishing Zaxbys as a long-term growth brand throughout Chicago and the broader Midwest.”

The brand didn’t identify the operator who signed the second development deal, other than to say it was “a local entrepreneur.”

Locations are expected to open in Bolingbrook, Naperville and Woodridge as part of the expansion.

Zaxbys has been serving up its “chicken fingerz” and 12 signature sauces since its founding in 1990. The chain operates more than 1,000 restaurants across 22 states.

The brand was recognized as a top 50 fast food chain by QSR Magazine in 2024 and was featured on Franchise Times’ top 400 list.