Zaxby’s restaurants name Donny Lau as CFO

Zaxby’s Franchising LLC has named Donny Lau as chief financial officer, effective Tuesday, the company said Monday.

The Athens, Ga.-based company said Lau most recently served as senior vice president and finance and chief strategy officer for retailer Dollar General. Prior to his Dollar General tenure, Lau held numerous roles at Yum! Brands. At Zaxby’s, Lau will lead the finance function, including financial strategy, planning and analytics, accounting, and treasury. He succeeds Blake Bailey in the position, a company spokesperson said.

“Donny’s proven track record in driving financial growth in QSR and retail organizations, implementing effective strategies and navigating complex financial landscapes makes him a perfect fit for Zaxby's as we embark on our next phase of growth and expansion,” said Bernard Acoca, Zaxby’s CEO, in a statement. “I am confident that his expertise and leadership will further elevate our organization's financial performance and position us for continued success.”

After joining Goodlettsville, Tenn.-based Dollar General in 2017, Lau held a variety of leadership positions and oversaw many of the company’s finance functions including strategy, corporate development, investor relations, financial planning and analysis, and strategic planning.

Before Dollar General, Lau held numerous roles at Yum! Brands Inc. He played a lead role in the 2016 spin-off of Yum! China into a separate publicly traded company.

“I am very excited to join Zaxby’s and work alongside this talented team, including our team members and franchisees, to drive the next chapter of growth,” Lau said. “I look forward to helping build on the company’s strong foundation and positive momentum as we continue to capitalize on growth opportunities we see ahead, while delivering meaningful value creation for all stakeholders.”

Zaxby’s ranked No. 39 in the most recent Nation’s Restaurant News Top 500 listing of largest foodservice chains. The company in 2022 had an estimated $2.4 billion in systemwide sales with a year-over-year growth of nearly 10%.

In November 2020, Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division took a “significant stake” in Zaxby’s Operating Co. L.P.

Zaxby’s, founded in 1990, has more than 900 locations in 17 states.

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