Published: August 26, 2009 10:23 pm      

Zaxby’s picks Jeff for location

Zaxby’s — a Southern restaurant chain known for its chicken dishes — is expected to open in Jeffersonville by the end of the year.

The restaurant, which will seat 89 patrons, is planned on Allison Lane in front of Meijer and Kohl’s, said Eric Goodman, vice president of development for Arc Property Investment, which is representing the franchisee.

A development plan — which includes a 3,600-square-foot restaurant with 56 parking spaces — was approved by the Jeffersonville Plan Commission on Tuesday.

“The most exciting thing about this is it’ll be the first [Zaxby’s] in Indiana,” Goodman said.

The company chose the location, not only because it’s in front of the two large stores, but also because of its proximity to Jeffersonville High School, Goodman said.

He said the restaurants eclectic causal atmosphere would be attractive to the younger crowd.

Zaxby’s is known for chicken fingers, Buffalo wings and sauces. It also offers prepared-at-order sandwiches and salads, called “zalads.”

It was founded in Statesboro, Ga., in 1990 and is headquartered in Athens, Ga.

The restaurant has more than 475 locations in 11 states — Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. It has more than a dozen Kentucky locations; the closest to Jeffersonville are in Shelbyville or Elizabethtown.

Construction of the Jeffersonville location would likely start in mid-September. The building will take between 60 and 90 days to complete and should be open by late this year, he said.

“It’s a great franchise,” Goodman said, noting its been able to survive in the economic downturn.

He said his company plans to expand the brand’s presence in the metropolitan area, perhaps opening stores in Louisville.