Operations

Zaxby's taps Mike Nettles to serve as 1st digital chief

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April 7, 2021

Mike Nettles has been named interim chief digital and technology officer for Zaxby's.

Nettles is the first chief digital officer in Zaxby's 31-year history, according to a press release, and reports to founder and CEO Zach McLeroy. He previously served as chief operating and growth officer at Papa John's.

"Zaxby's is coming off a year of record sales in unprecedented circumstances," McLeroy, founder and CEO, said in the release. "We're positioned now for exponential growth with our partner Goldman Sachs. Mike's expertise enables us to enhance both team member and guest experience through technology."

At Papa John's, Nettles focused on improving customer experience. Prior to that, he worked with Panera Bread as vice president of architecture and IT strategy, where he was responsible for leading the technical design, development and implementation of digital and in-store assets.

"I've spent 30 years in the hospitality and retail sectors, and I believe that people are what drive our business," he said in the release. "I'm eager to leverage Zaxby's heightened emphasis on digital offerings to grow business across its current and future footprint."

In his role Nettles will oversee IT for both corporate and restaurant systems, focusing on store technology, data democratization and centralization, architecture and change management.
Nettles will prioritize the recently revamped loyalty program, Zax Fanz Club.

"Mike will serve as a digital champion to help us develop a clear strategy around people and technology and then execute on that vision," McLeroy said in the release. "He's putting the digital infrastructure in place to support our national expansion."

Founded in 1990, Zaxby's has more than 900 locations in 17 states and is headquartered in Athens, Georgia.