PLAINFIELD, Ill. (WGN) — A new player has entered the Chicago area’s competitive chicken scene with the arrival of Zaxby’s, a fast-food chain rooted in the East Coast, renowned for its Southern charm. This week marks the debut of its first Midwest location, aiming to win over local taste buds.

Zaxby’s, celebrated for its Chicken Fingerz, salads, wings, and unique sauces, swung open the doors of its newest establishment in Plainfield, Illinois, on Monday, January 19. Situated at 13429 Illinois Route 59, this 2,450-square-foot restaurant is under the stewardship of a Chicago native who already oversees four other outlets in the Kansas City region.

“Opening the first Zaxby’s in the Chicagoland area is a remarkable achievement, and I am excited to become a part of the Plainfield community,” expressed the owner in a statement heralding the launch.

To commemorate the new opening, a ribbon-cutting ceremony is slated for February.

Zaxby’s representatives have highlighted the Midwest as a strategic focus for their 2025 expansion plans, with additional locations expected in Indiana and beyond.