Saucy Chicken Franchise to Add Lineup of New Restaurants Across St. Louis and Columbia

MISSOURI –  Zaxbys®, the rapidly growing Georgia-based QSR franchise famous for its Chicken Fingerz™, wings, and 12 signature sauces, is bringing its Southern Hospitality to St. Louis and Columbia, Missouri, through its latest signed agreement alongside Triple Z Holdings LLC, a group including multiple University of Missouri alumni. The group plans to open multiple Zaxbys restaurants in the greater St. Louis and Columbia, MO regions in the coming years through this latest multi-store deal. 

Triple Z Holdings LLC brings years of hands-on experience in the retail and franchising spaces, alongside a disciplined, long-term approach to growth. The development plan builds on Zaxbys’ existing Missouri footprint, which includes several locations across the St. Louis area, with future restaurants planned for the state. With strong local ties in Missouri, the group is well-positioned to support Zaxbys’ continued presence across the state. 

“Zaxbys is a brand we’ve believed in for a long time,” said a representative with Triple Z Holdings LLC. “As Missouri natives and Mizzou graduates, we see a strong opportunity to grow Zaxbys across communities we know well, pairing the brand’s loyal following and flexible formats with our operational experience to build something meaningful in the region.”

Building on recent multi-unit deals in Illinois and Ohio, Zaxbys is accelerating its footprint across the Midwest. New restaurants are opening in major metro areas, including most recently in Chicago on January 19, 2026, with stores slated to open in Dayton and Columbus over the next few years.

“Franchisees who understand their communities are the cornerstone of our growth,” said Mike Mettler, Chief Development Officer at Zaxbys. “With strong personal ties to Missouri and an entrepreneurial spirit rooted in the retail space, Triple Z Holdings LLC embodies the kind of leadership that drives success at the local level. We’re thrilled to see them bring the Zaxbys experience to new guests across St. Louis and Columbia.”

Zaxbys has been serving up its signature sauces and bold flavors since its inception in 1990. Beloved for its 12 signature sauces and Chicken Fingerz™, Zaxbys has become a standout chicken concept in the QSR industry, growing to more than 1,000 locations across the U.S. The brand’s commitment to quality and innovation has earned it numerous industry accolades, including recognition in Franchise Times’ 2024 Franchise Times Top 400 List, QSR Magazine’s 2024 Top 50 Fast-Food Chains, Entrepreneur, Forbes, and Newsweek. With a strong leadership team and a focus on long-term, sustainable growth, Zaxbys continues to stay true to its mission of delivering mouthwatering food and memorable experiences to its loyal fanbase.

For more information about Zaxbys and the franchise opportunity, visit zaxbys.com or zaxbys.com/franchise.

About Zaxbys

Founded in 1990, Zaxbys® is committed to serving delicious Chicken Fingerz™, Zalads®, wings, and signature sauces with Southern hospitality and a modern twist. Zaxby’s is a five-star VetFran partner and has been ranked a top franchise on Entrepreneur’s esteemed Franchise 500 list each year since 2013. Zaxbys has over 1,000 locations in 22 states and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.  

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