Zaxby’s Real Chicken to erect Midtown location

By caleb j. spivak + on February 1, 2013

Fast casual chicken joint files plans for new Atlanta restaurant.

Zaxby’s Real Chicken is opening a Midtown location.

The franchised chain of fast casual restaurants filed a building permit application with City of Atlanta earlier this month to erect a new store, at 425 Ponce de Leon Avenue.

The brand new Zaxby’s will be built where a now shuttered Church’s Chicken stands. Church’s will be demolished making way for the chicken restaurant.

An estimated $448,000 will be spent erecting the new 2,664-square-foot Zaxby’s restaurant.

Athens, Ga.-based Zaxby’s operates more than 525 locations in 12 states.

About caleb j. spivak

CJS is the Founder of What Now Atlanta. He was recently featured in The New York Times, Creative Loafing's "20 People to Watch in 2012," named "Lifestyle Blogger You Need To Know" by Rolling Out Magazine and highlighted as Atlanta's Metropolitan Male in fashion magazine, 944. WNA was named "Best of Atlanta" by Creative Loafing and Atlanta Magazine.

14 Comments

John Wolfinger

February 2, 2013 at 3:38 pm

Actually the new Zaxbys store will be in the Old 4th Ward – not Midtown. PDL Avenue is the dividing line between these two neighborhoods. But – am glad to have something interesting going in this location.

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- Kit Sutherland
  
  February 5, 2013 at 1:07 pm
  
  Yes, the south side of that stretch of Ponce is the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood – Midtown is on the north side of Ponce. We hope the owners of this new business will join the O4W Business Association and get tapped into all the cool things happening in the O4W.
  Ms. Kit Sutherland
  President, Fourth Ward Alliance Neighborhood Association
  
  Reply
- Dee
  
  February 6, 2013 at 12:59 pm
  
  North Avenue is the South border of Midtown – everyone knows that… except you.
  
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  - Tim
    
    February 7, 2013 at 9:25 am
    
    Actually this property is in the O4W…the south boundary between Midtown and O4W changes from North Ave on the west over to Ponce de Leon further east where this property is, so yes it is in the O4W.
    
    Reply
JustSayin

February 3, 2013 at 10:48 am

What?? They won’t be able to hire any professional staff. It will be a bunch of Bon Qui Quis in there. Will tarnish Zaxby’s reputation.

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- Bonquisha
  
  February 11, 2013 at 9:50 am
  
  Your momma!
  
  Reply
O4W resident

February 5, 2013 at 2:11 pm

Very happy about this news! Even with Popeyes a block away and the history of this location as a graveyard for fried chicken joints, I’m certain that Zaxby’s can make a go of it. Relative to their competitors, they’ve got a superior product, engaged front-of-house staff, and offer a comfortable environment for dining.

And in contrast to JustSayin’s sentiment, I HOPE they hire folks from the neighborhood. It’s not easy work, and it probably pays $7.25/hr, but it’s a nice and needed alternative to the drug trade conducted by the boys on the corner.

I don’t eat a ton of fast food but love Zaxby’s. I promise to do my part to make sure this location is a success.

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PirateOnPtree

February 5, 2013 at 3:03 pm

If this article was posted on Feb. 1 then how was the building permit filed earlier this month?

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Dee

February 6, 2013 at 1:00 pm

Statesboro flavor coming to Midtown!! Finally – been waiting to get one of these!!

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- Urbanist
  
  February 7, 2013 at 9:37 am
  
  Rednecks coming to Midtown has been a trend for a while…this isn’t new.
  
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Chris Copeland

February 11, 2013 at 9:47 am

Dudes, get a life…

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sandy shannpn

February 14, 2013 at 2:05 pm

Actually the old Church’s on Ponce is now a check cashing place and isn’t boarded up. Are you referring to the KFC next to the Goodyear Store which is boarded up?

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John

February 21, 2013 at 2:38 am

Church’s replaced the closed KFC and lasted less than six months. Most restaurants fail on that side of the street. Doomed.

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MikeH

February 21, 2013 at 12:55 pm

This site was an KFC whcih never seemed to get any business, then Church’s relocated here…briefly, was surprised they closed so quickly. So Zaxby’s will be the 3rd in a row chicken place at this location.

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