Carl Jakaitis Joins McAlister's Deli As Chief Financial Officer

RIDGELAND, Miss., July 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- McAlister's Deli, a leading fast casual restaurant, announces that Carl Jakaitis has been named Chief Financial Officer.  He is a seasoned restaurant finance executive with over 30 years of financial experience in the restaurant industry. 

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"I'm confident Carl's substantial restaurant industry experience will provide McAlister's Deli with additional leadership and expertise as we continue to develop the McAlister's brand and expand our system footprint," said McAlister's Deli President and CEO Frank Paci.

Jakaitis was most recently CFO of Petrus Brands where he was responsible for finance and administrative functions and worked closely with Planet Smoothie and Shane's Rib Shack franchisees of over 170 restaurants in 15 states.  Prior to joining Petrus, he ran his own consulting business specializing in part-time CFO assignments.  From 1994 to 2004, Carl served as CFO for Church's Chicken where he was responsible for the financials for 1,000 franchised and 600 company restaurants.  His restaurant experience also includes finance roles at Pizza Hut and Boston Market.

"I'm excited to be joining such an experienced, dedicated team at McAlister's," said Jakaitis. "With my extensive background in franchising, focus on bottom line best practices and commitment to good, old-fashioned hard work, I look forward to having great synergy with Frank and his team to propel McAlister's to the next level."

Jakaitis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Psychology from Kansas State University. 

About McAlister's Deli

Founded in 1989, Ridgeland, Mississippi-based McAlister's Deli is a quick-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 casual catering, with a selection of deli and sandwich trays, vegetable, cheese and fruit trays, breakfast trays, box lunches and desserts, McAlister's Deli currently has 307 restaurants in 22 states.  McAlister's Deli has earned numerous accolades, including most recently Nation's Restaurant News ranking the chain fourth in its inaugural Consumer Picks study, the highest of any sandwich chain and higher than any bakery and café restaurant.  For more information, visit www.mcalistersdeli.com.

SOURCE McAlister's Deli