Zaxby's had the fastest-growing restaurant app in 2022, and now the national quick-service chicken chain is positioned to boost downloads even further in 2023 with an extra incentive for new members of its Zax Rewardz loyalty program.

By downloading the app and signing up, new loyalty members will be rewarded with a free Big Zax Snak® Meal. Across all Zaxby's franchise locations, the meal includes three hand-breaded Chicken Fingerz

- a huge fan favorite - along with Texas Toast, the chain's signature Zax Sauce®, crinkle fries, and a Coca-Cola Freestyle beverage.

The overwhelming success of the Zaxby's app is just one on a list of recent achievements. Having just launched in 2022, the Zax Rewardz program has earned national recognition, making Newsweek's and online marketing and consumer data platform Statista's lists of America's Best Loyalty Programs. Of course, the real standouts at Zaxby's are the iconic menu items, which is why its Signature Sandwich won media website Thrillist's 2021 Fasties Award for Best Fried Chicken Sandwich. It's also why the Zaxby's franchising program has expanded its network of fun, offbeat fast-casual chicken eateries to upwards of 900 locations across 17 different states.

Scaling Up, Not Down

Not content with resting on past accolades, Zaxby's continues to build a loyal fan following. Just as Zaxby's Franchising LLC continues to help expand the brand's national network of small businesses, the Zaxby's marketing team is working on leveling up the incentives offered to loyal Zax Rewardz members.

Patrick Schwing, chief strategy and marketing officer, says, 'At a time when other loyalty programs are lowering the value of rewards, we're doubling down on rewarding our most loyal guests.' And instead of making loyalty members hit a certain spending threshold before earning rewards, Zaxby's is ready to give them tasty payouts from the get-go. Schwing says, 'We are extending an attractive sign-up offer that includes a free meal while making it easy to earn and redeem rewards.'

Already, he notes, 'The guest response has exceeded our expectations and it's clear they appreciate the value our program offers. Since launching the new app in September, we've more than doubled the number of active users and have earned a 4.7 rating in the app store."

Earning - and Keeping - Loyalty

Certainly, it's easy to rack up app downloads with the promise of a free meal, but the Zaxby's team knows they have to hold onto those Zax Rewardz members in order to maintain a successful loyalty program. To that end, they've made it easier than ever to earn and redeem loyalty points. Every dollar spent at the restaurant earns members 10 rewards points, which are redeemable for discounts on future purchases and/or free menu items. Plus, they've added regular member rewards features for all the Zaxby's franchising networks, including Free Delivery Sundays, until the end of May.

Want to score a free Big Zax Snak® Meal and start earning loyalty points and other member perks? Head to Google Play or the App Store and download the Zaxby's app before this offer disappears.