Zaxbys Teams Up With Jackson State University’s Sonic Boom of the South

The partnership pairs two Southern institutions with deep local followings and will bring select Sonic Boom members to a Jackson-area Zaxbys restaurant for appearances later this year, with additional details to be announced. Beyond in-person activations, the collaboration is designed to channel meaningful support to the university and its students.

“The Sonic Boom is one of the things that makes Jackson, Jackson,” said Drew Gressett, CEO of Roost & Rise Holdings. “This partnership is about showing up for a program that means so much to this city and to Jackson State. When we open restaurants in a community, we want to be a real part of it — not just a place people drive past.”

For Zaxbys and its local franchisee, the partnership continues a pattern of investment across the Jackson market. This month, the brand welcomed students back to the classroom with free Big Zax Snak® offers. Roost & Rise also recently named Mississippi team member DJ Pretty Peech its Chief Vibe Officer, a role created to connect the brand more closely with the culture and community it serves.

Zaxbys and Roost & Rise intend to announce additional partnerships with Jackson-area organizations and initiatives in the months ahead.

Founded in 1990, Zaxbys® is committed to serving delicious Chicken Fingerz™, Zalads®, wings, and signature sauces with Southern hospitality and a modern twist. In 2025, Zaxbys was recognized as Transformational Brand of the Year by QSR Magazine. Zaxbys has over 1,000 locations in 22 states and is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. For more information, visit zaxbys.com or zaxbysfranchising.com.

Roost & Rise Holdings, LLC is an Austin-based restaurant franchise operator and the largest Zaxbys franchisee in the Southeast. With 96 Zaxbys locations across the region, Roost & Rise is committed to building strong restaurant teams, creating memorable guest experiences and being an active part of the communities it serves. For more information, follow on Instagram.

Zaxbys is a fast-growing QSR brand specializing in the highest quality chicken and sides. Established in 1990 in Statesboro, Georgia, the company pioneered the concept of serving chicken tenders as an entrée, a novel idea at the time.