Zaxbys Signed Five-Unit Florida Expansion Deal

The chicken chain has partnered with Areas USA to open new locations along the Florida Turnpike.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Dining Out

Bold vector illustration of a modern service plaza building set against a bright Florida highway, rendered in a clean contemporary graphic style. — Zaxbys has finalized a development deal with Areas USA to open five new restaurant locations along the Florida Turnpike travel corridor. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Zaxbys has finalized a development agreement to launch five new restaurant units through a partnership with Areas USA. The first of these locations has already opened for business at the Turkey Lake Service Plaza in Florida.

Why it matters

This partnership targets high-traffic travel corridors to expand the footprint of the chicken chain. It aligns with the company's broader strategy to establish a presence in convenient locations for commuters and travelers.

Zaxbys currently operates across 24 states and offers seven distinct building prototypes for franchisees. These designs include non-traditional layouts such as drive-thru-only models.

The players

Zaxbys

An Atlanta-based restaurant chain specializing in chicken fingers and wings that recently surpassed 1,000 locations nationwide.

Areas USA

A company that manages food and retail operations in travel plazas and transportation hubs.

Russ Holland

The Chief Development Officer of Zaxbys who has been tasked with overseeing the company's national expansion since June 2026.

The details

The collaboration utilizes the infrastructure of the Florida Turnpike service plazas to reach a wider customer base. Future growth plans for the chain include pursuing opportunities in military installations, college campuses, and airports.

June 2026: Russ Holland was appointed as the Chief Development Officer.
October 9, 2026: The expansion agreement was announced.

Culture Shift

The expansion follows the industry trend of utilizing smaller, flexible building footprints to enter high-traffic areas. This strategic move signals a broader transition toward capturing mobile consumers in transit environments rather than relying solely on traditional suburban real estate.

Travelers along the Florida Turnpike can expect increased access to the chain as new units open in service plazas. This shift provides commuters with more consistent food options during long-distance travel through the state.

The takeaway

The chain is leveraging its diverse set of building prototypes to enter previously inaccessible travel corridors. By moving into service plazas and transit hubs, the company is successfully adapting to the needs of travelers on the move.