Volunteer Excavating of Maryville clears a one-acre lot at Oak Ridge Turnpike and Division Road for a new Zaxby’s chicken restaurant that could open in mid-February.
A Zaxby’s chicken restaurant could open on Oak Ridge Turnpike in February, one of the owners said Friday.
The new 3,500-square-foot store will be on about one acre that used to be a car lot at the corner of Division Road and Oak Ridge Turnpike.
The site has been cleared already, and building construction could start this week, said Chris Andrews of Knoxville, who will co-own the restaurant with Brandon Barrett of Athens, Ga. But the construction schedule will depend upon the weather, Andrews said.
He said Zaxby’s specializes in chicken fingers and chicken wings and is also known for its chicken and buffalo salads. It’s a step above fast food, Andrews said, but the higher-quality food is still served quickly.
It will feature sit-down dining and a drive-through and be open from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Andrews said.
Zaxby’s restaurants typically have a crew of about 50 workers, and the search for a general manager could start in the next week or so.
Zaxby’s is one of three new completed or proposed chicken restaurants in Oak Ridge. Popeyes recently replaced Wishbones on South Illinois Avenue south of Oak Ridge Turnpike, and a Bojangles’ has been proposed next to the former Dean Stallings Ford on South Illinois Avenue.
A site plan has been approved for Bojangles, but a building permit hasn’t been issued yet, said Monica Austin Carroll, Oak Ridge Community Development division manager.
Zaxby’s will be in a high-traffic area bustling with commercial activity as well as the Methodist Medical Center. Andrews said he expects lunches, in particular, to be busy. The traffic light at Division Road and the Turnpike will help make it easier for cars to get in and out of Zaxby’s, he said.
Andrews said he and Barrett also own two other Zaxby’s stores, one in Lenoir City and another in Maryville. This will be their third in East Tennessee.
He said Zaxby’s, which is based in Athens, Ga., is gaining a foothold in East Tennessee, and Oak Ridge was targeted as “ready for the brand.â€
“Oak Ridge is still growing,†Andrews said. “There’s a lot of jobs. It’s still a thriving community.â€
He said there are Oak Ridge residents who now drive to Lenoir City and Clinton to eat at Zaxby’s. They won’t have to any more.
Zaxby’s was founded in 1990 and now operates more than 560 stores in 13 states, including Tennessee.
BobStephenson says
Can OakRidgers support 5 chicken restaurants ? That seems alot…
TJ Garland says
Over 70 eateries in town now. The Secret City is now the Restaurant City.
More less-than-minimum wage jobs. More money going out of state for wholesale foodstuffs and profits to out-of-town owners.
Tourism, mining, and manufacturing are the basis of growth and wealth in a town.
John Huotari says
Bob, a few other people have asked that same question. I asked Zaxby’s co-owner Chris Andrews whether market research had shown a need for another chicken restaurant in Oak Ridge. He said the city is still growing and thriving, has many jobs, and is “ready for the brand,” and some residents drive to Lenoir City and Clinton to eat at Zaxby’s.
So far, this story has been shared on Facebook 59 times. I would assume that means there is some excitement about this restaurant opening.
I don’t know how well all the chicken restaurants will perform, but this seems like a prime location on a busy roadway near lots of commercial activities and the hospital.
TJ, I have talked to other business leaders recently, and they say there have been a lot of new retail developments announced recently, particularly new restaurants, and now they would like to see more office and industrial-type projects.
Mike Williams 224 says
I think a lot of the excitement has to do with the location. On the east side of town, there are few places to go other than the few in Jackson Square and McDonalds. I am a regular to Buffalo Grille being an east ender, but it is nice to have another option near home and work. I cannot say I am stoked about it being a Zaxby’s but my wife will probably be excited about those birthday cake milkshakes being close.
John Huotari says
Birthday cake milkshake?
Mike Williams 224 says
Yeah, she thinks they are the best, they have Lee Ann Womack selling them on TV now! Better than the chicken.
Nick says
KFC will have to improve their location in order to compete with all the new chicken business in town. I would much rather eat at Zaxby’s than KFC!
Rebecca Latham says
I’m the acting general manager for the Zaxby’s in Powell and we get a lot of people from Oak Ridge there too.
John Huotari says
Thanks for letting us know. Is that store on Clinton Highway?
Rebecca Latham says
It is actually off of E. Emory Rd near the hospital. You can get onto Emory rd off of clinton highway though.
Jason Allison says
This is all exciting news. Oak Ridge needs some new life brought in. The center of Oak Ridge needs to be filled with the smaller businesses as that is what will thrive. I don’t think the planners have ever forgotten the need for larger business but you have to start with the smaller “easiest to attain” first. Factory jobs are harder because of the nature of their needs and their dependence on easy routes of transport. Oak Ridge doesn’t have a whole lot of available lots for such business. I think we are going in the right direction. Take on the smaller tasks that a a little easier to complete while planning the larger one. I will say this, please do not forget some of our restaurants that have been here for a while. These folks are having a lot of their business taken away.
John Huotari says
It seems like the retail and commercial development is as good as it’s been in the eight years I’ve been reporting on Oak Ridge. I think business leaders agree that we could use more industrial and office projects. I heard that some of those projects could depend upon the outcome of the presidential election. So, it will be interesting to see what happens next.
Thanks for encouraging people to also continue supporting small and existing businesses.
Jason Allison says
I grew up here (36 years) so a lot of my jobs were here as well. Went out to last Friday night at Buddy’s, I worked there for three years, talked with a manager who stated their business here has taken a big hit this year. When I worked there it wasn’t uncommon to have the drive-thru backed all the way around the building. As I said though, Oak Ridge definitely needs new business to spark our local economy. Oak Ridge has had a habit of trying to take on too much at one time. I think starting with these smaller projects that don’t rely so heavily on the Oak Ridge government takes the pressure off so they have a little more time to focus on the bigger ones.