Jim Rodgers is no ordinary chain restaurant owner.

Though he does spend a great deal of time running his Zaxby’s restaurant in Sylva, Rodgers never forgets to give back to the community he loves.

A graduate and former linebacker at Western Carolina University, Rodgers provides significant financial support to the college’s football, basketball, baseball and softball teams.

“I’m a former Catamount. I believe in sponsorships and helping them when I can,” said Rodgers.

Rodgers also provides free platters to football players and referees at spring scrimmages each year.

While Rodgers also supports local sports teams at the high school and middle school level, he cares about more than just athletes. Rodgers doesn’t hesitate to donate whenever charities come knocking on the door.

And when Rodgers discovered the local high school and middle school band programs were being cut, he racked his brain trying to figure out a way to help.

Rodgers decided to donate 10 percent of profits each day for a total of four days. So far, his generous idea has raised almost $2,000 for the local school band program.

“A business should be interested in its community because we serve the community,” said Rodgers. “They’re nice enough to come eat with us.”

Rodgers said he instantly fell in love with Jackson County when he visited WCU on a recruiting trip.

“It’s a beautiful place but also just a neat community,” said Rodgers.

While the community is small and close-knit, it’s also growing, Rodgers added.

“The whole area’s become more of a destination,” said Rodgers. “It’s mainly tourists, but also people are realizing it’s a good place to live.”

Since opening his Sylva restaurant, Rodgers has also taken over Zaxby’s restaurants in nearby Waynesville and Brevard.

While it has been challenging to run three restaurants at once, Rodgers is no absentee owner.

Rodgers has no problem filling in when it gets busy, whether it’s working the registers or cooking meals. Rodgers said it’s helped him learn every aspect of the business and get to know his customers.

Owning a business has been gratifying, said Rodgers, who enjoys that every day is little different.

“I love it,” said Rodgers. “I’m doing exactly what I wanted to do.”