10 Zaxby's executives
CEO, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer are among the current titles held by these Zaxby's executives, alongside chief people, supply chain and development officers. A reader can learn how executives lead Zaxby's from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
Bernard Acoca
LinkedInExperience: CEO · Zaxby's
Bernard Acoca has been CEO at Zaxby's since January 2022, based in Atlanta, and the profile lists the role at the C-level in general management. Bernard Acoca was President and Chief Executive Officer at El Pollo Loco from January 2018 to January 2021.
Blake Clayton Bailey
LinkedInExperience: Chief Financial Officer · Zaxbys
Blake Clayton Bailey is a former Chief Financial Officer of Zaxbys, a role held from August 2000 to April 2023, and was Chief Financial Officer at Slab Dream Lab from September 2023 to April 2025. Blake Clayton Bailey has been Business Owner at Maepole since April 2025, based in Athens, Georgia.
Michael Dixon
LinkedInExperience: Chief Financial Officer · Zaxbys
Michael Dixon has been Chief Financial Officer at Zaxby's since April 2026, based in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. Michael Dixon was Chief Financial Officer at GoTo Foods (Formerly FOCUS Brands) from March 2016 to March 2026, President/CFO at Ignite Restaurant Group from January 2013 to February 2016 and Chief Financial Officer at Pinkberry Ventures from 2008 to 2012.
Michelle Morgan
LinkedInExperience: Chief People Officer · Zaxbys
Michelle Morgan has been Chief People Officer at Zaxby's since May 2022, based in Athens, Georgia. Michelle Morgan was Executive Vice President of Culture and Brand Experience at Zaxby's from October 2020 to May 2022, Vice President Operations from March 2018 to October 2020 and Senior Director of Operations from February 2017 to March 2018.
Pat Fries
LinkedInExperience: Chief Supply Chain Officer · Zaxbys
Pat Fries has been Chief Supply Chain Officer at Zaxby's since August 2024, based in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. Pat Fries was Vice President Supply Chain at Zaxby's from October 2022 to August 2024 and Vice President Supply Chain Management at Slim Chickens from June 2014 to October 2022.
Patrick Schwing
LinkedInExperience: Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer · Zaxbys
Patrick Schwing has been Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer at Zaxby's since June 2022, based in Atlanta. Patrick Schwing was Chief Marketing Officer & President, Arby's Franchise Association at Arby's from March 2020 to June 2022 and Sr. Brand Director - Global Oral-B IOT Innovation at Procter & Gamble from 2017 to 2020.
Robert Baxley
LinkedInExperience: President and Chief Operating Officer · Zaxbys
Robert Baxley is a former President and Chief Operating Officer of Zaxby's, a role held from April 2018 to September 2021, and has been Chief Executive Officer at Omnipotent Brands since September 2021. Robert Baxley was Chief Operating Officer at Zaxby's from September 1994 to March 2018.
Russ Holland
LinkedInExperience: Chief Development Officer · Zaxbys
Russ Holland has been Chief Development Officer at Zaxby's since June 2026, based in Atlanta. Russ Holland was Interim Chief Development Officer at Zaxby's from February to June 2026, Vice President - Real Estate and Non-Traditional Development there from December 2025 to February 2026 and Vice President - Head of Real Estate at Inspire from December 2024 to December 2025.
Tony Townley
LinkedInExperience: Co-Founder / Executive Vice President · Zaxby's Franchising, Inc.
Tony Townley is a former Co-Founder / Executive Vice President of Zaxby's Franchising, a role held from November 2011 to May 2025, and has been Managing Member at Maepole since March 2025. Tony Townley was Chief Financial Officer at Zaxby's from September 1994 to November 2011.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's function to the decision you face, since a finance officer, an operations leader, a marketing and strategy officer and a supply chain or development officer see different parts of the company. Check the dates on each person's roles to judge how recent their experience is.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01What did you focus on first when you took on your current executive role, and why?
- 02How do you decide which issues need your own attention and which your leadership group should own?
- 03What has your own work taught you about leading people in a restaurant company?
Reaching Zaxby's executives
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About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.