Operations

Zaxbys debuts ghost kitchen in Dallas

Photo: Zaxbys

August 4, 2025

Zaxbys has opened its first-ever ghost kitchen in Dallas. The delivery-only location, powered by CloudKitchens, is near the Design District at 921 W Commerce St.,and will serve the urban core of Dallas, including Uptown, Deep Ellum, Downtown and SMU. Customers may order from the full menu of Zaxby's favorites exclusively through major delivery platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash, as well as the Zaxbys app.

The project is led by Jonathan Ellis, a third-generation franchisee from a family with over 60 years of experience in the quick-service restaurant industry. The Ellis family previously operated McDonald's locations before shifting their focus to Zaxbys in 2024. They now own and operate 10 Zaxbys restaurants across the Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston areas.

"We're building the Zaxbys of the future—where customers get the same bold flavor they love, but on their terms, wherever they are," Ellis said in the release. "Dallas is the perfect market to pilot this model—fast-paced, tech-driven, and hungry for quality."

The ghost kitchen model allows Zaxbys to reach more customers in a dense urban area without the investment of a traditional brick-and-mortar restaurant. By focusing solely on delivery, the brand can serve popular menu items like the Signature Chicken Sandwich and Zalads efficiently.

The Ellis family, operating as Commerce Fork Food Co, has a goal of owning or acquiring 100 Zaxbys locations by embracing modern formats like ghost kitchens while staying true to their family's hospitality-first values.