Tony Townley

Early Life

Tony Townley was born in 1963. He met his future business partner, Zach McLeroy, in middle school in Athens, Georgia.

Rise to Success

In 1990, Townley, along with his best friend Zach McLeroy, co-founded Zaxby's. They each invested $8,000 to open the first restaurant near the campus of Georgia Southern University. Zaxby's became known for its chicken fingers, wings, and signature sauces. By 2023, the chain recorded $2.5 billion in systemwide sales. In 2020, Townley sold his stake in the business to Goldman Sachs for nearly $1 billion (pre-tax).

Key Business Strategies

Townley's key strategies included developing a strong brand identity for Zaxby's, focusing on quality and customer service, and expanding the franchise system. As part of the sale to Goldman Sachs, he also received more than 140 Zaxby's franchise locations.

Philanthropy

Townley and his wife Elizabeth have invested in conservation efforts. They own approximately 40,000 acres in Georgia and have donated conservation easements to preserve the land, aiming to prevent strip mining and protect water resources.