**From Chicken Fingers to Billionaires: The Tale of Zach’s Friends’ Success**
In the heart of Athens, Georgia, a tale of childhood friendship blossomed into an impressive business empire. Zack Mroy and Tony Townley, best friends since their seventh-grade days, transformed a shared love for chicken fingers into a billion-dollar fortune. It’s a classic story of hard work, dedication, and a sprinkle of southern charm, proving that with a little grit and a good recipe, one can indeed reach the stars.
Back in the 1990s, these pals pooled their resources, each chipping in $8,000, to open a chicken finger restaurant called Zach’s near Georgia Southern University. Little did they know their small investment would soon lead to a gastronomic revolution. It all started in 1990 when they launched their first Zach’s, a clever play on Mroy’s name. Fast forward over thirty years, and today, these childhood buddies are worth an astonishing $1.2 billion and $1 billion, respectively, thanks to the massive success of Zach’s – now known as Zaxby’s.
Zaxby’s has developed a reputation as a go-to spot for scrumptious chicken fingers, wings, and an array of signature sauces that tantalize taste buds. As reported, in 2023, the chain racked up a whopping $2.5 billion in sales, proving that there’s nothing lethargic about their growth. While they may not be the biggest fish in the pond like Chick-fil-A or Raising Cane’s, Zaxby’s has carved out its own niche. With around 960 locations primarily in the Southeast, they are beloved by many who appreciate a good chicken finger fix.
In 2020, the duo made a heart-wrenching decision to sell a majority stake in Zaxby’s to Goldman Sachs for nearly $1 billion. While Townley sold his half of the company, retaining over 140 franchise locations, Mroy held onto a significant chunk and continued as CEO for a couple more years. Emotion aside, the friends acknowledged that they were ready to venture in different directions, reflecting on their remarkable journey from their humble beginnings to the heights of success.
Mroy’s story is one of resilience; he sold his drum set and lived in a rundown apartment across from their restaurant just to fuel their dreams. Meanwhile, Townley balanced his mortgage business with late-night sauce mixing sessions. The friends started small, targeting college campuses for their expansion. The road to success wasn’t without its challenges, but their dedication and innovative approach led them to franchise the business and change the brand’s name from Zach’s to Zaxby’s, paving the way for their rapid growth.
Today, both men stand tall as first-time billionaires, joining the ranks of other food entrepreneurs like Steve Ells from Chipotle and Peter Cancro of Jersey Mike’s. Their journey from chicken fingers to billion-dollar fortunes is a testament to the power of friendship, ambition, and the American dream. So next time someone reaches for a chicken finger, they might just be a part of a success story bigger than they ever imagined!
