Russell Holland has been promoted to chief development officer of Zaxby's, the chicken-focused quick-service restaurant chain. Holland previously held the position of vice president and head of real estate at Inspire Brands, the parent company that owns Zaxby's alongside Arby's and Jimmy John's.

In his new role, Holland oversees the strategic expansion and development operations for Zaxby's across North America. His appointment signals the chain's commitment to aggressive growth following years of steady unit expansion. His real estate expertise from the Inspire Brands portfolio positions him well to navigate site selection, lease negotiations, and franchise development.

Zaxby's operates more than 900 locations primarily across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, though the chain has been pushing westward in recent years. The promotion reflects a broader strategy among large quick-service restaurant operators to strengthen their real estate and development infrastructure as competition intensifies for prime restaurant locations.

Holland's career at Inspire Brands demonstrated his capability in managing complex real estate portfolios across multiple brands with different formats and market positions. His appointment as CDO places him at the center of Zaxby's growth trajectory during a period when chicken concepts face both opportunity and challenge in the competitive QSR landscape.

The move comes as Zaxby's continues expanding its menu offerings and refining its operational model to compete with established players like Popeyes, Chick-fil-A, and Raising Cane's. Holland's expertise in identifying viable markets and negotiating franchise agreements will prove essential as the chain targets new geographic penetration and densification in existing markets.