Zaxbys hires Waffle House vet as chief development officer
Zaxbys strengthens growth strategy with new chief development officer from Inspire Brands.
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Zaxbys has appointed Russell Holland as its chief development officer, bringing nearly 20 years of QSR experience. The brand, which now surpasses 1,000 units across 23 states, is targeting aggressive growth with plans to open 69 new units this year, including 62 franchised locations. Holland’s role will focus on overseeing profitable growth and expansion strategies.
Why It Matters
Holland’s leadership may enhance Zaxbys' growth trajectory, impacting territorial availability for franchisees and potentially affecting unit economics as the brand scales.
Russell Holland has been named the Chief Development Officer (CDO) of Zaxby’s, succeeding his interim role that began in February. He originally joined the fast-food chain in December 2022, focusing on non-traditional development. Holland brings nearly 20 years of experience to his new position, having previously served as vice president and head of real estate for Inspire Brands and holding various real estate roles at Waffle House for over 12 years.
In his capacity as CDO, Holland is tasked with overseeing Zaxby’s ongoing growth and its ambitious expansion strategy. Central to his role will be leveraging his experience in streamlining processes, creating unit pipelines, and developing scalable strategies to enhance profitability. Zaxby's CEO, Bernard Acoca, emphasized Holland’s qualifications, stating, “He not only has a proven track record of success improving workflows and supporting profitable growth across QSR brands, but he also has a leadership style that fits the Zaxby’s brand.”
Zaxby’s has demonstrated significant growth, surpassing 1,000 units in 2025 and currently operating in 23 states. The franchise aims to continue expanding, with plans to open 69 new units this year, including 62 franchised locations, following a successful year in which 36 net new units were added. The recent hiring of Michael Dixon as chief financial officer indicates a concerted effort to bolster the company's growth trajectory.
