Dollar General chief strategy officer heads to C-suite at Zaxby’s

Zaxby’s has named a seasoned retail executive as its new finance head. 

The fast-casual chicken chain  appointed Donny Lau as CFO,  effective July 25. He will lead the finance function, including financial strategy, planning and analytics, accounting and treasury.

Lau joins Zaxby’s from Dollar General, where he most recently served as senior VP, finance & chief strategy officer.  Since joining the discounter in 2017, Lau held a variety of leadership positions overseeing many of the company’s key corporate finance functions including strategy, corporate development, investor relations, financial planning & analysis (FP&A) and strategic planning.

Prior to Dollar General, Lau held numerous roles of increasing responsibility at Yum! Brands, including senior director, head of financial planning and analysis. 

“Donny’s proven track record in driving financial growth in QSR and retail organizations, implementing effective strategies and navigating complex financial landscapes makes him a perfect fit for Zaxby’s as we embark on our next phase of growth and expansion,” said Bernard Acoca, CEO, Zaxby’s. “I am confident that his expertise and leadership will further elevate our organization’s financial performance and position us for continued success.”

 Lou leaves Dollar General following 15 months or so of  numerous leadership changes and shakeups, including the promotion of longtime company executive Jeff Owen to CEO. 

“I am very excited to join Zaxby’s and work alongside this talented team, including our team members and franchisees, to drive the next chapter of growth,” Lau said. “I look forward to helping build on the company’s strong foundation and positive momentum as we continue to capitalize on growth opportunities we see ahead, while delivering meaningful value creation for all stakeholders.”

Zaxby’s has more than 900 locations in 17 states. The company is headquartered in Athens, Ga.