Zaxby’s, the chicken fast fooder based in Athens, Georgia, is constructing a new location, its third in Central Florida, near the University of Central Florida at 11554 University Blvd. There are other Zaxby’s near the Mall at Millenia (actually on the SuperTarget side), and in Kissimmee at 1885 N. John Young Parkway.  

As I mentioned, Zaxby’s is a fast food restaurant (although the company prefers to call itself “an alternative to fast food” and quick-casual) whose focus is breaded chicken fingers and Buffalo style wings. Customers order their food at the counter and are called to the pick-up window when the order is ready (sounds like fast food to me; quick-casual usually involves having the food delivered to the table after ordering at the counter). I visited the first Orlando location when it opened a few years ago and found the food perfectly acceptable, if fried chicken fingers is the sort of thing you seek.

The licensees for the Orlando market are Brad Harper and Allison Hartwig. Harper also owns three Zaxby’s in Ocala. Zaxby’s locations are in 12 states, primarily in the South. There are 500 Zaxby’s locations; the one near UCF will be Florida’s 39th. It is expected to employ 50 to 60 people. The owners are trying for an Oct. 25 opening.

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