Popular fried chicken chain Zaxbys lands in Arizona

As the Atlanta-born fast-food restaurant makes its Valley debut, more locations are cooking.

August 12, 2025

Image: Zaxbys, an Atlanta-based fast-food restaurant know for chicken fingers, wings and chicken sandwiches, is opening its first Arizona location.

Zaxbys, an Atlanta-based fast-food restaurant know for chicken fingers, wings and chicken sandwiches, is opening its first Arizona location. Zaxbys

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Diners in search of fast fried chicken and wings have a new imported restaurant to try. The first Arizona location of Zaxbys, the Atlanta-born casual chicken chain, opens in Queen Creek on Wednesday.

Zaxbys is largely known east of the Mississippi for its chicken fingers, wings, chicken sandwiches, loaded fries and fried pickle chips. The Queen Creek outpost is located near the northwest corner of Gantzel and Combs roads. The 3,000-square-foot space holds 56 seats and features a dual drive-thru and a curbside pickup door. The Valley restaurant is operated by Brian and Jessica Nelson.

"We are thrilled to introduce Zaxbys to Arizona!" Brian Nelson said in a press release announcing the opening.

To celebrate Zaxbys’ arrival in Queen Creek, the Nelsons will host a grand opening roughly a week after the restaurant serves its first customers. On Tuesday, Aug. 19, the first 100 guests will receive free Zaxbys for six months, in the form of rotating weekly comp card offers, per Zaxbys. To be eligible, customers must be 16 or older and purchase a meal in-store at the event, which begins at 10 a.m.

There will be more giveaways for diners who spin the Zaxbys prize wheel. The event will also feature a live DJ and a 360-degree photo booth.

click to enlarge

Zaxbys first Valley location is in Queen Creek at the northwest corner of Gantzel and Combs roads.

Zaxbys

The chain's Arizona debut is part of Zaxbys’ push west, which earlier this year included an opening in Las Vegas, according to the company. Currently, the 35-year-old restaurant chain has over 980 locations in 19 states, and is on track to surpass 1,000 locations this year, per the release.

That expansion includes more locations in the Valley.

Jesse Rozio, the founder and CEO of Ignite Commercial Real Estate, confirmed several forthcoming locations of Zaxbys. The Nelsons will open two more outposts in the East Valley in the next two years. Expect those locations to pop up at Signal Butte and Queen Creek roads in Queen Creek in 2026, and at Val Vista Drive and Germann Road in Gilbert in 2027.

“Thanks to the dedication of our franchise partners, Brian and Jessica Nelson, we're accelerating our growth out West and continuing to introduce the Zaxbys famous Fingerz and signature sauces to new fans across the country,” Sharlene Smith, Zaxbys’ chief operating officer, said in the press release.

Another franchisee has committed to opening “several additional sites” around the Valley, including in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise and Goodyear, “with more in the works,” Rozio shared via email.

“This announcement marks a major step in delivering even more variety and value to the communities we serve, helping Zaxbys expand its footprint and bring their fan-favorite flavors to new A+ locations across Arizona,” Rozio wrote.

Zaxbys

Opens Wednesday
37756 N. Gantzel Road, Queen Creek

Sara Crocker is a staff writer for Phoenix New Times where she focuses primarily on food. She began freelancing for New Times in July 2022 and joined the staff in February 2023. Prior to New Times, Sara worked for publications such as The Denver Post, Phoenix Magazine, Phoenix Home & Garden and Colorado Life Magazine. When she’s not reporting on the Valley’s dining scene, Sara brews beer at home and is an avid cook.

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