Location: 9350 W. Thomas Road, just east of Loop 101.
Description: Zaxby’s popular chicken fingers are coming to west Phoenix.
After making its Arizona debut in Queen Creek last year, the Southeastern restaurant chain is continuing its Western expansion, with its second Valley location set to open soon.
A handful of others are also planned around metro Phoenix, including Gilbert, Goodyear, Scottsdale, Surprise and another in both Queen Creek and north Phoenix.
The new 2,996-square-foot drive-through restaurant in Phoenix will sit beside a Super Star Car Wash and neighbor the surrounding medical facilities like Banner Estrella Medical Center.
While the restaurant offers chicken wings, salads and Texas toast, Zaxby’s is famous for its chicken "fingerz"
and signature Zax sauce.
History: In August 2025, franchisees Jessica and Brian Nelson opened the Queen Creek store to flocking crowds that waited in triple-digit heat for the restaurant's doors to open.
The couple are originally from the Southeast, where they grew up loving Zaxby's.
A Phoenix-based LLC called GM 93T will own and operate the west Phoenix location, according to public records.
The new restaurant’s owner obtained a building permit from the city in December 2025 to begin construction.
That same month, Ignite Commercial Real Estate, the firm working with Zaxby's on its expansion, announced that the chain acquired property at 22nd Avenue and Happy Valley Road for another location in Phoenix.
Last month, Surprise officials approved plans for a new Zaxby’s at the southeast corner of 163rd Avenue and Pinnacle Peak Road.
When will the work be done? It’s unclear when Zaxby’s west Phoenix restaurant will open, but Ignite recently said it could be later this year.
Republic Reporter Elena Santa Cruz contributed to this report.
Is there something under construction you'd like to tell us about or find out more about? Contact the reporter. Shawn Raymundo covers the East Valley city of Scottsdale. Reach him at sraymundo@gannett.com or follow him on X @ShawnzyTsunami.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Zaxby's expands in Arizona with new west Phoenix restaurant
