Zaxby’s is gearing up to land right in the heart of TCU territory, with plans for a new restaurant at 3051 S. University Drive, in the former Banh Shop space next to Ampersand. Renovations inside the building have not started yet, and there is still no official opening date, but permits for exterior work have been filed with the city. If it opens, the TCU location would be Zaxby’s second Fort Worth outpost, following last year’s debut on Sycamore School Road.
As first reported by the Star-Telegram, the South University Drive storefront is slated for a Zaxby’s buildout, with applications submitted for outside painting and construction. At the time of that report, no visible renovation work had begun, and the company had not committed to a firm opening timeline.
Where it’s going
Commercial real estate listings line up with the plan. A leasing flyer on Cityfeet shows the address as 3051 S. University Drive and identifies it as a TCU-adjacent restaurant site.
Fremon Baker, the Transwestern vice president who handles the property, told the Star-Telegram that the project is running slightly behind schedule, in part because of other upcoming Zaxby’s leases in Houston.
What to expect
Zaxby’s menu is centered on hand-breaded chicken fingerz, wings, and “zalads,” typically paired with crinkle-cut fries and a slab of Texas toast. The chain’s Fort Worth location page lists options such as veggie egg rolls and fried white cheddar bites, along with drive-thru hours that commonly stretch from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. That gives a decent preview of what hungry TCU students might see a few blocks from campus: counter service, late hours, and a lot of focus on Zaxby’s lineup of signature sauces.
The local rollout so far
Zaxby’s opened its first Fort Worth restaurant in September 2025 on Sycamore School Road as part of a broader D-FW push, according to The Dallas Morning News. That launch, along with the franchisee’s other Texas moves, shows how the brand is trying to plant its flag in the state’s fast-casual chicken scene…