Zaxby's co-founder ventures into a new venture with a different company, Maepole
Maepole Expands with Health-Conscious Comfort Food
Tony Townley, the co-founder of Zaxbys, has set his sights on a new venture: Maepole, a fast-casual restaurant focused on providing healthy comfort food. Townley acquired Maepole in 2025 and is now preparing the brand for growth, with plans to expand beyond its current three locations in Athens, Georgia[1].
The growth strategy for Maepole includes franchising, which Townley and his managing partners are actively working on. With Townley's extensive experience in building Zaxbys as a successful franchise operation, Maepole aims to replicate that success[1].
Expansion is also a key part of Maepole's strategy. The company has announced plans to open two more locations next year, serving as prototype tests in cities between Athens and Atlanta. These locations will feature drive-thru and pickup windows, and will be freestanding to increase visibility of the brand[1].
Maepole's menu emphasizes health and comfort, offering a variety of options that cater to both vegetable-forward and protein-seeking diners. The menu is almost entirely gluten-free, with the exception of the mac & cheese, and strives to keep its sugar levels low. Nothing on the menu is fried[1].
Diners can choose from a base (salad, rice, mashed sweet potatoes, quinoa), various vegetables (broccoli with ranch powder, roasted potatoes, kale/asparagus, mac & cheese, etc.), proteins (baked chicken, pulled pork, braised beef, black-eye pea fritters, tamari-marinated tofu), and sauces (sriracha-honey, turmeric-ginger, spicy avocado, lemon herb)[1].
In addition to these core offerings, Maepole provides additional toppings such as chow chow, kimchi, or avocado, and dessert options like Condor Chocolates, co-founded by Maepole's culinary director, Peter Dale[1].
As part of its efforts to boost sales, Maepole is in the process of hiring an ad agency, securing public relations support, implementing a social media program, and launching an app[1]. The company is also working on franchising, with hopes to have it ready by the beginning of 2026[1].
With its health-conscious menu, focus on younger diners, and unique bowl-based fast casual concept, Maepole is poised for growth and expansion in the fast-casual restaurant market.
- Tony Townley, an entrepreneur with a successful background in franchising the restaurant industry (Zaxby's), is venturing into a new project: Maepole, a fast-casual restaurant catering to health-conscious diners with comfort food.
- Maepole's strategy for growth includes expanding beyond its current locations, adopting franchising models, and incorporating a lifestyle that emphasizes healthy cooking and food-and-drink choices.
- The restaurant's menu is designed with health in mind, featuring a variety of base, vegetable, protein, and sauce options, with an almost completely gluten-free and low sugar selection, ensuring a guilt-free dining experience for customers.
- With plans to hire an advertising agency, secure public relations support, implement a social media program, launch an app, and open more locations (possibly drive-thru and pickup), Maepole is poised to make its mark in the fast-casual restaurant business, appealing to younger demographics who prioritize health and lifestyle choices.
