McAlister's Deli
| File:McAlister's Deli logo.svg | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1989 in Oxford, Mississippi, United States |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
Number of locations | 550+ |
Area served | United States |
Key people |
|
| Parent | GoTo Foods |
| Website | www |
McAlister's Deli is a fast casual dining chain originating in the United States, established in 1989 by former dentist Don Newcomb in Oxford, Mississippi. The brand now boasts more than 500 locations across 29 states. Its offerings include deli-style sandwiches, hearty baked potatoes known as "giant spuds," a variety of soups and salads, desserts, and catering services featuring sandwich platters and boxed meals. The restaurant is also well-known for its signature sweet tea.
As a member of the GoTo Foods family, McAlister's Deli shares ownership with other notable brands such as Schlotzsky's, Carvel, Moe's Southwest Grill, Cinnabon, Jamba, and Auntie Anne's.
History
The inaugural McAlister's location was launched inside a repurposed diner originally built as a movie set,[1] preserving distinctive features like a garage door and classic black-and-white floor tiles. The establishment initially operated under the name Checker's before adopting the McAlister's identity.
In 1999, Don Newcomb transferred ownership to CEO Michael J. Stack and executive Philip Friedman for an undisclosed amount. Stack took over as CEO while Newcomb remained involved as a board member and retained exclusive franchise rights in Kentucky. At that point, the chain had expanded to 45 combined franchised and company-owned outlets throughout the Southeastern United States.[2]
By 2005, Roark Capital Group acquired McAlister's Deli when it had grown to approximately 170 restaurants spanning 19 states.[3]
The majority of McAlister's locations operate under franchise agreements, including single-unit family-owned businesses as well as larger multi-unit operators like Southern Rock Restaurants—the largest franchisee with 148 sites across 12 states—alongside JME, Inc., DMAC 81 LLC, and The Saxton Group. The corporate headquarters are situated in Atlanta, Georgia.
See also
External links
- ↑ https://www.mcalistersdeli.com/about-us
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- Pages with broken file links
- Fast casual restaurants
- Lafayette County, Mississippi
- Restaurants in Mississippi
- Restaurants established in 1989
- Fast-food chains of the United States
- Fast-food franchises
- Delicatessens in the United States
- 1989 establishments in Mississippi
- American companies established in 1989
- 2005 mergers and acquisitions
- Companies based in Sandy Springs, Georgia
- Pages with reference errors