Zaxby's has officially touched down in Illinois, bringing its Southern-fried swagger to the Chicago suburbs. The Georgia-based fast-casual chicken chain opened its first Illinois restaurant on Wednesday in Plainfield, staking its claim in the local chicken wars and marking the brand's formal entry into the Chicago market.
The new restaurant takes over the former Slim Chickens building along the busy Route 59 and 135th Street corridor, where renovations had been underway for months as the company prepped the space for its Illinois debut. On the menu: Zaxby's signature Chicken Fingerz, wings, and its much-hyped Zax Sauce.
Plainfield Store Puts Illinois On Zaxby's Map
According to the Chicago Business Journal, the Plainfield restaurant opened on Wednesday and is Zaxby's first location in the state. The outlet reports the launch is part of a regional development plan led by a local multi-unit franchise operator who has been working for years to bring the brand to the Chicagoland area.
Village Gives a Warm Welcome (With a Side of Coffee)
The Village of Plainfield announced the opening on social media, and Mayor John Argoudelis made it clear officials were not mad about another national name landing on Route 59. He said the community was "excited" to welcome the brand, according to the local report.
As reported by NBC Chicago, village officials also pointed out that a 7 Brew coffee drive-thru is set to join the same Route 59 corridor near the new Zaxby's. Remodeling work for the coffee spot was already underway ahead of the chicken chain's opening, signaling more drive-thru action on the strip.
The Franchise Deal Fueling the Rollout
According to Franchise.org, Zaxby's previously signed a multi-unit development agreement with a Chicagoland operator to open several restaurants in the area. In that coverage, Zaxby's chief development officer said the operator's local roots and franchise experience made them the right partner to grow the brand across the region.
From Slim Chickens to Zaxby's on Route 59
The Plainfield Zaxby's is moving into a familiar building at Route 59 and 135th Street that recently housed Slim Chickens, according to local reporting. Shaw Local noted that Slim Chickens had operated at the site since 2018. Area listings place the parcel at 13429 S. Route 59 in Plainfield, according to MapQuest.
What It Signals for the Midwest Chicken Game
The Plainfield opening is the first visible sign of Zaxby's broader Midwest push, which includes development deals in Indiana and Ohio and aims to grow the chain's presence in high-demand markets. Industry coverage notes that Zaxby's has expanded to roughly 970 locations across the United States as it continues to target new territories in the region, according to Franchising.com.
For Plainfield, the new Zaxby's adds one more national chicken contender to the local lineup and another drive-thru option along Route 59. Local hiring listings and any future Chicago-area Zaxby's locations are expected to be announced by the franchise operator and the company as the rollout unfolds.
