McAlister’s Deli Franchisee To Develop 24 New Restaurants

Fast casual chain to open its first locations in Idaho, Utah; continues growth in Texas and New Mexico

McAlister’s Deli, a leading fast casual restaurant, announced it’s Odessa, Texas-based franchisee, Southwest Deli, will develop 24 restaurants in Texas, New Mexico, Idaho and Utah as part of a new multi-unit development agreement.

Southwest Deli currently operates 14 restaurants in Texas and New Mexico. This new agreement will include development in four states, including continued growth in Texas and New Mexico, as well as new territories in Utah and Idaho. It will open restaurants in Abilene, Andrews and San Antonio, Texas, as well as Carlsbad, N.M., in the first quarter of 2014. Southwest Deli will open four additional locations later in 2014.

“This agreement represents our long-term commitment to the McAlister’s brand by growing our presence in new and existing markets,” said Larry Lee, owner of Southwest Deli. “Our future growth will create approximately 1,200 jobs throughout these local communities and also gives us an opportunity to bring McAlister’s great food and genuine hospitality to more locations.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Southwest Deli to bring McAlister’s to two new states, as well as continue our growth in markets where we have a loyal fan base,” said McAlister’s president and CEO Frank Paci. “Southwest Deli has been a strong partner in growing the brand and has been recognized as Franchisee of the Year multiple times.”

Technomic recognized the brand as the 2012 top chain in the fast casual industry for food and beverage and as one of consumers’ Top 5 Favorite Chains in the country. Fast Casual also ranked the brand No. 2 on its Top 100 “Movers and Shakers” list of 2013 and Paci was named one of the “Top 20 People” in the industry to watch.

To learn more about  McAlister’s, please visit their website www.mcalistersdeli.com and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About McAlister’s
Founded in 1989, McAlister’s is a fast casual restaurant chain known for its sandwiches, spuds, soups, salads, desserts and McAlister’s Famous Sweet Tea™. In addition to dine-in and take-out service, McAlister’s also offers catering with a selection of sandwich trays, box lunches, desserts, a hot spud bar and more. With numerous industry accolades, McAlister’s has more than 320 restaurants in 24 states. The company has corporate offices in both Ridgeland, Miss., and Alpharetta, Ga. For more information, visit www.mcalistersdeli.com. To learn more about franchising opportunities with McAlister’s, please visit www.mcalistersdelifranchise.com.