GADSDEN, Ala. - Mother-and-daughter licensees Sandra and Julie Slay opened the doors to Gadsden's first Zaxby's, Monday, November 14. The restaurant is located at 1510 Rainbow Drive, across from Nissan of Gadsden. A Southeast favorite for chicken fingers and Buffalo wings, Zaxby's will operate Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

"We realized this neighborhood is a perfect fit for the family atmosphere Zaxby's represents," said Sandra Slay, who owns an existing Alabama Zaxby's location in Scottsboro. "We're excited to be a part of the community and are confident that the same quality of food and service Zaxby's is known for will keep area residents coming back for more."

The new 3,195-square-foot location will seat 72 in Zaxby's unique design - a bright, open interior décor complemented by custom vintage prints and school memorabilia. Zaxby's will also offer drive-thru services to meet the needs of customers on the go.

Julie Slay will play a hands-on role by serving as the new restaurant's general manager. She believes the restaurant - from the atmosphere to the service - will exceed community expectations. "We've assembled a great group of team members who will deliver on the Zaxby's mission to 'consistently create encore experiences that enrich lives one person at a time,'" said Julie Slay.

The new location will be the first for Etowah County and the 63rd for the state. Zaxby's currently operates more than 535 locations in 12 states - Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

An alternative to fast food, Zaxby's offers prepared-at-order chicken fingers, wings, sandwiches and salads. Zaxby's most popular items are its hand-breaded Chicken Fingerz and Jumbo Buffalo Wings, smothered in a choice of nine sauces with names like Wimpy, Tongue Torch, Nuclear and Insane. The menu also offers innovative Zappetizers - Tater Chips (home-style potato chips), Spicy Fried Mushrooms and Fried White Cheddar Bites, as well as a variety of Party Platterz perfect for any family gathering or special occasion.

Zaxby's also offers three salads, or Zalads: The House, The Blue and The Caesar. All of Zaxby's Zalads offer more chicken, unique ingredients, such as French-fried onions, fresh veggies and juicy tomatoes, and are larger than most salads offered elsewhere. Each is prepared with chicken, three kinds of lettuce and a variety of toppings. Zalads are assembled at the time the order is placed, versus being pre-made and stored in a cooler.

Additionally, Zaxby's offers Milkshakes at participating locations, which come in chocolate, strawberry and vanilla flavors. They are rich and creamy, hand-blended, and are topped with whipped cream.

About Zaxby's
An alternative to fast food, Zaxby's offers its guests prepared-at-order Chicken Fingerz, Jumbo Buffalo Wings, sandwiches, Zalads and Zappetizers, along with a variety of nine sauces, ranging from Wimpy and Tongue Torch to Nuclear and Insane. Childhood friends Zach McLeroy and Tony Townley hatched the Athens, Ga.-based chain in 1990 to provide a fun, relaxing atmosphere that would keep guests coming back for more. Zaxby's operates more than 535 locations in 12 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. For more information, visit www.zaxbys.com.