Six days after announcing it was entering New Jersey, Georgia-basedZaxbys is adding Pennsylvania to its list of states. Franchisee George Abdelmessieh, a veteran entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in the franchise industry, will launch up to 10 locations over the next five years with the first two opening in 2025.
“The chance to bring Zaxbys to Philadelphia is both exciting and meaningful,” Abdelmessieh said in a company press release. “I recognize that Zaxbys is a strong brand with an excellent product. These values align with the principles I’ve relied on to build my other franchise businesses. Bringing Zaxbys to Philly is something I’m building not only for my community, but also for my family, creating a legacy I hope will benefit my children and grandchildren.”
Abdelmessieh, a retired electrical engineer who owns over 30 Dunkin’ locations in South Jersey and Philadelphia, was drawn to Zaxbys by his daughter, a physician who experienced the southeastern brand while studying at Emory University in Atlanta. With the booming demand for chicken in the fast casual space, Abdelmessieh saw Zaxbys as the perfect addition to diversify his franchise portfolio.
“Zaxbys is thrilled to enter the Philadelphia market, and we couldn’t ask for a better partner than George to lead the way,” Zaxbys CDO Mike Mettler said in the release. “George’s decades of experience and dedication to building strong franchise operations make him the perfect fit to introduce our brand to Philadelphia. We’re excited to see the impact his leadership will bring.”
Founded in 1990, Zaxbys has over 950 locations in 17 states.
