You’ve seen him on Next Gen NYC or maybe just scrolled past his high-end lifestyle on Instagram. Hudson McLeroy has that effortless, "old money" vibe that makes people wonder where it all comes from. When you're dating someone like Ariana Biermann—daughter of reality royalty Kim Zolciak—the spotlight gets bright, and people start digging.
Naturally, the big question is: who exactly is the man behind the money?
The man is Zach McLeroy. If you live in the South, or honestly anywhere with a decent appetite for fried chicken, you’ve contributed to his bank account. He didn't just stumble into wealth; he built one of the most recognizable fast-food empires in the United States.
The Billion-Dollar Chicken King
Zach McLeroy is the co-founder and former CEO of Zaxby’s. Think about that for a second. Every time someone grabs a "Kickin' Chicken Sandwich" or a plate of "Wings & Things," they are feeding a business Zach started back in 1990.
He didn't do it alone. He teamed up with his childhood buddy, Tony Townley, in Athens, Georgia. They basically thought the local chicken options were subpar and decided they could do it better. Turns out, they were right. What started as a small shop in a college town exploded into a multi-billion dollar franchise with over 900 locations.
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Fast forward to 2020. Zach made a massive power move. He sold a majority stake of the company to Goldman Sachs. While he stepped down as CEO in 2022, he didn't just walk away. He’s still the Chairman of the Board. Forbes puts his net worth in the billionaire category, which explains the private jets and the high-society circles Hudson moves in.
Why the Internet is Confused (The "Two Hudsons" Problem)
If you Google "Hudson McLeroy dad" and get a bunch of results about golf and a guy named Guy, don't worry—you aren't losing your mind. There’s a bit of a digital mix-up happening.
There is another Hudson McLeroy out there who is a rising star in the junior golf world. That Hudson’s father is Guy McLeroy, a former college golfer.
The Next Gen NYC Hudson—the one dating (or formerly dating) Ariana Biermann—is the one tied to the Zaxby's fortune. It's a classic case of SEO wires getting crossed because of a shared name. One is hitting birdies; the other is investing in New York real estate and navigating Bravo drama.
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A Family Tree Tangled in Reality TV
The McLeroy family is kind of a maze. If you follow reality TV, you might recognize Hudson’s half-brother, Parker Lipman. Parker was the lead on MTV’s Buckhead Shore.
Here’s where it gets a little "small world" in Atlanta:
- Zach McLeroy was married to Carol, who is Parker’s mom.
- Parker and Hudson share the same social circles.
- There are even weird overlaps where family members have dated within the same reality TV "dynasties" (like the Biermann/Zolciak crew).
Hudson himself has tried to stay a bit more low-key than the typical "nepo baby." While he clearly benefits from the Zaxby's legacy, his Bravo bio highlights him as an investor and an artist. He’s trying to build a name that isn't just "the chicken guy’s son," even if that billion-dollar safety net is always there.
What This Means for Hudson’s Future
Being the son of a man who conquered the fast-food industry brings a specific kind of pressure. Zach McLeroy is known for being a "self-made" success story, a guy who turned a simple idea into a national brand.
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For Hudson, being on Next Gen NYC is his first real step into the public eye on his own terms. It’s a transition from being "Zach’s kid" to being a public figure. Whether he stays in the investment world or pivots fully into the entertainment industry, the McLeroy name carries a lot of weight—especially in Georgia.
Key Takeaways on Zach McLeroy
- Co-founded Zaxby's in 1990 in Athens, GA.
- Billionaire status confirmed by major financial outlets like Forbes.
- Chairman of the Board at Zaxby's following the Goldman Sachs deal.
- Philanthropist who runs the McLeroy Family Foundation.
If you’re looking to follow the money, just look for the yellow chicken sign. Zach McLeroy isn't just a "rich dad"—he's a titan of the hospitality industry who turned a college town craving into a global financial powerhouse.
To keep up with the family's latest moves, you can follow Hudson's investment ventures or keep an eye on Zaxby's corporate expansions, as the brand continues to push into new national markets under the chairmanship of his father.