Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. (ZFI) has made a $125,000 donation to Prince Avenue Christian School (PACS). The gift will support the school’s new building campaign to develop additional facilities, programs and technology that will increase academic opportunities for its growing student community.
“Prince Avenue Christian School has continued to provide its students the resources and environment that allow them to excel and grow,” said Tony Townley, executive vice president and cofounder of Zaxby’s. “Our company is honored to help expand Prince’s facilities and pave the way for many more bright futures,” said Townley.
The pre-K through 12th-grade school currently serves more than 800 students from 13 counties. The school’s building campaign will allow for more classrooms, as well as technology advancements, and the enhancement of its fine arts, lunchroom and athletic buildings, including a field house with a weight room and locker room.
“We are delighted by the generosity of Zaxby’s and their investment in this community,” said Richard Ricketts, athletic director of PACS, who also works as a part of the school’s committee for fundraising and growth. “This donation will allow us to begin the first phase of our planned development. I know the students and their parents couldn’t be more excited!” The school anticipates beginning construction in January, and hopes to introduce some of its new additions when it opens its doors for the 2013 – 2014 school year.
A ceremony and breakfast were held this morning at PACS to announce the donation. Representing Zaxby’s along with Townley were Blake Bailey, chief financial officer, and Jeff Hood, financial projects director.
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. The company ranked number seven in the 2012 Top 10 Excellent Large Fast-Food Chains With 500 Or More U.S. Units Quick-Track study published by Sandelman & Associates. The chain also ranked number five in the nation for total sales and number one in the chicken segment in the 2012 Top 150 Fast-Casual Chain Restaurant Report published by Technomic. Zaxby’s operates more than 560 locations in 13 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. For more information, please visit zaxbys.com, facebook.com/zaxbys or follow on Twitter @Zaxbys.
