Early Life
Tony Townley was born on June 13, 1960, in Statesboro, Georgia. He met Zach McLeroy in middle school in Athens, Georgia.
Rise to Success
In 1990, Townley and Zach McLeroy, childhood friends, each invested $8,000 to open the first Zaxby's restaurant in Statesboro, Georgia. Townley was also the CEO and president of Southern Mortgage & Lending Corporation in Athens, Georgia, before founding Zaxby's. In 2020, Townley sold his stake in Zaxby's to Goldman Sachs for nearly $1 billion. Townley then became one of the chain's largest franchisees, with over 140 restaurants.
Key Business Strategies
Townley focused on long-term brand building and expansion, which was key to Zaxby's growth. The pair expanded by targeting college campuses and later franchised the business. The success of Zaxby's was so significant that it led to Townley becoming a billionaire.
Philanthropy
Townley and his wife Elizabeth have invested in approximately 35,000 acres of timberland and farmland around Georgia.