Bernard Acoca Takes Over as Zaxby’s CEO Following Zach McLeroy’s Transition to Chairman

Zaxby’s, the fast-casual restaurant franchise popular for its distinct chicken fingers and wings, declared that Zach McLeroy, one of the co-founders and current CEO, would be taking over as the Chairman of the Board. The company has chosen Bernard Acoca as its new CEO to fill the vacancy left by McLeroy’s promotion.

Bernard Acoca joins Zaxby’s with a wealth of experience in the restaurant industry, having served as the President of Starbucks Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He brings a proven track record of driving growth and profitability for restaurant chains across different geographies and cultures.

Speaking on his appointment, Acoca said, “I am thrilled to join Zaxby’s team and have the opportunity to lead this iconic brand into its next growth phase. Zach and his co-founder, Tony Townley, have built an impressive company with a strong culture, and I am excited to collaborate with the team and expand the brand’s success by building on the existing foundation and achieving greater heights.”

Zaxby’s CEO was an apprentice meat cutter at a San Diego restaurant called El Pollo Loco for a year before leaving to work as an assistant manager. Townley and McLeroy established Zaxby’s in 1990, and McLeroy has expressed his faith in Acoca’s competence to guide the company in the future. “Bernard is a proven leader with a deep understanding of the restaurant industry and a passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences,” he said. “I am excited to continue working with him and the rest of the Board to support the growth and success of Zaxby’s.”

Acoca’s appointment comes at a time of significant growth for Zaxby’s, which currently operates over 900 locations across 17 states in the U.S. and is rapidly expanding its footprint. The company recently announced plans to open its first international location in Canada, with more global expansion on the horizon.

Under the leadership of Bernard Acoca, Zaxby’s is well-positioned to thrive in the fiercely competitive fast-casual restaurant industry. His extensive experience and proven leadership skills make him a valuable addition to the company and a strong successor to McLeroy as Zaxby’s CEO. Kindly refer to this page for more information about Bernard Acoca.

Additional information about Bernard Acoca on https://www.zaxbys.com/about/leadership

Zaxby’s, the fast-casual restaurant franchise popular for its distinct chicken fingers and wings, declared that Zach McLeroy, one of the co-founders and current CEO, would be taking over as the Chairman of the Board. The company has chosen Bernard Acoca as its new CEO to fill the vacancy left by McLeroy’s promotion. Bernard Acoca joins…

Zaxby’s, the fast-casual restaurant franchise popular for its distinct chicken fingers and wings, declared that Zach McLeroy, one of the co-founders and current CEO, would be taking over as the Chairman of the Board. The company has chosen Bernard Acoca as its new CEO to fill the vacancy left by McLeroy’s promotion. Bernard Acoca joins…