LeaderPortfolio
Townley
T
Rank #2976
UNITED STATESFood & BeverageFast food

Tony Townley

Net Worth
$1.225B
0% (24h)
Tony Townley is an American businessman best known as the co-founder of Zaxby's, a successful fast-food chain specializing in chicken fingers and wings. His wealth source stems from the fast-food industry. Townley, along with his childhood friend Zach McLeroy, started Zaxby's in 1990 with a modest investment, growing it into a regional powerhouse with over 900 locations. In 2020, he sold his stake to Goldman Sachs for nearly $1 billion. He is 63 years old. His achievements include building a thriving restaurant chain. He is also involved in buying timberland and farmland.

How to read Tony Townley's profile

Public net-worth figures are estimates. They combine observable inputs—typically listed equity, disclosed transactions, and market prices—with editorial judgment where filings are incomplete (for example, private holdings, debt, or cross-holdings). For Tony Townley, we anchor the narrative to Fast food and Fast food, then update the headline number as markets move. The chart on this page is meant to show trajectory, not a certified balance sheet.

When you see $1.225B alongside global rank #2976, interpret it as our best synthesis of widely cited ownership and price signals—not a claim about cash on hand. Estimates can diverge from other publishers because of different treatment of options, trusts, charitable vehicles, or illiquid assets. We document the general approach in methodology and welcome corrections via corrections.

Country (UNITED STATES) and career milestones on this page are curated for reader context; they should be verified against primary sources when used for research. Editorial metadata for this profile is refreshed on a rolling basis, with deeper audits at least annually (last noted cycle: 2026).

Looking for depth? When available, the dossier and timeline sections below add long-form context beyond the headline number—prioritize those modules when evaluating claims about strategy, controversies, or philanthropic commitments.

The Full Dossier

Early Life

Tony Townley was born on June 13, 1960, in Statesboro, Georgia. He met Zach McLeroy in middle school in Athens, Georgia.

Rise to Success

In 1990, Townley and Zach McLeroy, childhood friends, each invested $8,000 to open the first Zaxby's restaurant in Statesboro, Georgia. Townley was also the CEO and president of Southern Mortgage & Lending Corporation in Athens, Georgia, before founding Zaxby's. In 2020, Townley sold his stake in Zaxby's to Goldman Sachs for nearly $1 billion. Townley then became one of the chain's largest franchisees, with over 140 restaurants.

Key Business Strategies

Townley focused on long-term brand building and expansion, which was key to Zaxby's growth. The pair expanded by targeting college campuses and later franchised the business. The success of Zaxby's was so significant that it led to Townley becoming a billionaire.

Philanthropy

Townley and his wife Elizabeth have invested in approximately 35,000 acres of timberland and farmland around Georgia.

Career Timeline

2025

Acquired Maepole

Purchased Maepole, an Athens, Georgia-based eatery.

2020

Sold Zaxby's Stake

Sold his stake in Zaxby's to Goldman Sachs for nearly $1 billion.

1990

Co-founded Zaxby's

Co-founded Zaxby's with Zach McLeroy, which has grown into a fast-food chain.

Philanthropic Impact

Environmental Conservation$XB

Land Conservation

Invested in over 35,000 acres of timberland and farmland.

Net Worth History

In-Depth Analysis

Early Life

Tony Townley was born on June 13, 1960, in Statesboro, Georgia. He met Zach McLeroy in middle school in Athens, Georgia.

Rise to Success

In 1990, Townley and Zach McLeroy, childhood friends, each invested $8,000 to open the first Zaxby's restaurant in Statesboro, Georgia. Townley was also the CEO and president of Southern Mortgage & Lending Corporation in Athens, Georgia, before founding Zaxby's. In 2020, Townley sold his stake in Zaxby's to Goldman Sachs for nearly $1 billion. Townley then became one of the chain's largest franchisees, with over 140 restaurants.

Key Business Strategies

Townley focused on long-term brand building and expansion, which was key to Zaxby's growth. The pair expanded by targeting college campuses and later franchised the business. The success of Zaxby's was so significant that it led to Townley becoming a billionaire.

Philanthropy

Townley and his wife Elizabeth have invested in approximately 35,000 acres of timberland and farmland around Georgia.

Data Sources & Methodology

Figures for Tony Townley are synthesized from the sources below and cross-checked against our net worth methodology. Estimates may lag market moves; see corrections to report discrepancies.