In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Bernard Acoca, the CEO of Zaxbys, the Georgia based chicken-finger chain that has grown to more than 1,000 U.S. locations bringing in nearly $3 billion in sales. Bernard was in New York City last week to help open Zaxbys newest location there, ushering in the Big Apple as its latest growth market. Zaxbys is very much in growth mode, and while it had a presence in 16 states when Bernard joined the company in 2022, by next year it will be in 25 states and continuing a push to the north and west. Zaxbys calls this its “Grow to Win” strategy, chasing a strong leadership position in the ever-crowded chicken category through smart unit growth. Bernard joined the podcast to talk about that strategy and how Zaxbys plans to drive AUVs higher even as it aggressively adds new stores.

In this conversation, you’ll find out why:

  • Restaurants in new markets must be tailored to the local customer
  • Figure out your differentiating characteristic and then shout it to the rooftops
  • Develop new items with the intention of selling out
  • You cannot have successful unit growth without first acing the fundamentals


Have feedback or ideas for Take-Away? Email Sam at sam.oches@informa.com

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