Zaxbys targets New Mexico for expansion, seeks franchise partner

A chicken chain is exploring opportunities to bring its unique flavor of chicken, salads and sauces to the Land of Enchantment.

That restaurant chain is Georgia-based Zaxbys, which has more than 970 locations across 17 states. New Mexico has been untouched thus far, making it a new market the chain is looking to expand to, said Bert Lane, vice president of franchise sales.

“Growing the brand in new markets like New Mexico is a big priority for us,” Lane said in a statement to the Journal. “With no locations currently in the state, the region is wide open for development.”

Lane said the region’s “diverse and expanding population” adds to the attraction, as more residents and businesses mean more demand for quality, quick-service food. He added the area would allow for flexible store formats, including traditional dine-in, drive-thru only and retail units.

Specific locations or the number of restaurants have not been determined, but Lane said “Albuquerque and Las Cruces both show great potential... especially with their growing communities.”

Lane said the chain, founded in 1990, has already begun scouting areas suitable for potential locations, but the first step is finding an operator. The chain is currently searching for partners to help bring the chicken spot to the state.

The fee for opening a Zaxbys is $35,000. Startup costs range between $1,391,700 and $3,266,200, according to the the company’s website.

“Once we find an operator that aligns with our values as a brand, we plan on looking more closely at the geographics,” Lane said.

The typical Zaxbys restaurant ranges between 1,160 and 2,900 square feet and employs more than 25 people. A large dine-in Zaxbys seats 56 people and a small dine-in seats 30, Lane said.

The chain’s potential New Mexico expansion wouldn’t be its first venture into the Southwest, as the chicken chain broke ground on its first Arizona location in January.

Zaxbys’ interest in New Mexico comes as other chicken chains have expanded here in recent years.

Raising Cane’s opened its first New Mexico location in Las Cruces in 2018 and has since expanded throughout the Albuquerque metro. Chicken Salad Chick launched a West Side location last year, and Slim Chickens has added spots in the Northeast Heights and Rio Rancho.