McAlister's Deli Announces Plans to Open First Restaurants in South Florida

- Award-winning Fast Casual Concept Signs 10-Unit Franchise Agreement to Develop New Locations in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties -

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McAlister's Deli

Jun 01, 2015, 09:13 ET

ALPHARETTA, Ga., June 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- McAlister's^® Deli, a leading fast casual chain, announced today it has signed a multi-unit development agreement to open its first restaurants in South Florida. The brand signed a 10-unit development agreement with local husband-and-wife franchise team Marcelo and Berny Montalvan to open new restaurants in communities across Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The first of the new locations is slated to open in early 2016.

"For years, McAlister's fans have been asking us to bring the brand to South Florida, so we are thrilled to partner with new franchisees Marcelo and Berny Montalvan to grow our footprint in untouched markets throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties," said Jeff Sturgis, McAlister's Vice President of Franchise Development. "Marcelo and Berny have extensive multi-unit restaurant management experience as high-performing franchisees of Fuddruckers for the last 13 years. We're excited to introduce South Florida to McAlister's great food, family-friendly environment and genuine hospitality."

Marcelo and Berny Montalvan are targeting development in markets including Doral, Aventura, South Miami, Davie, Plantation, Coral Springs, Pembroke Pines and Ft. Lauderdale.

"As residents of South Florida, we take great pride in operating restaurants that offer outstanding customer service and a friendly environment throughout our community. When we learned McAlister's was targeting growth in the market, we knew it was the perfect opportunity for us to expand our restaurant portfolio," said Marcelo. "We are looking forward to bringing McAlister's Famous Sweet Tea™, sandwiches, soups and spuds to the local communities throughout South Florida for the very first time."

McAlister's also is targeting franchise growth throughout Palm Beach county, particularly in areas such as Boca Raton, Delray Beach and West Palm Beach, among others.

Technomic^® has recognized McAlister's twice in its Consumers' Choice Awards for Chain Restaurants — in 2015 as top fast casual chain for pleasant, friendly service and in 2014 as the top kid-friendly fast casual chain. Franchise Business Review named McAlister's one of its "Best Franchise Opportunities for 2015" in its Franchisee Satisfaction Awards, as well as a "Top Franchise" in 2014 based on franchisee satisfaction. In 2015, McAlister's tied for No. 12 in a ranking of limited-service chains in Nation's Restaurant News' Consumer Picks Survey. In 2014, QSR Magazine recognized the brand as one of the "Best Franchise Deals" and named McAlister's to its QSR 50 list, ranking 13th for U.S. average sales per unit in 2013. FastCasual.com also recognized the brand on its "Top 100 Movers and Shakers" list of 2014.

To learn more about franchising opportunities with McAlister's, please contact (888) 855-DELI (3354) or [email protected], or visit www.mcalistersdelifranchise.com. This information is not intended as an offer to sell. We will not offer you a franchise until we have complied with disclosure requirements in your jurisdiction.

About McAlister's
Founded in 1989, McAlister's^® Deli 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, the McAlister's brand has 337 restaurants in 24 states. The company is headquartered in Alpharetta, Ga. For more information, visit www.mcalistersdeli.com.

About FOCUS Brands Inc.
Atlanta-based FOCUS Brands Inc. is the franchisor and operator of over 4,000 ice cream shoppes, bakeries, restaurants and cafes in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 60 foreign countries under the brand names Carvel^®, Cinnabon^®, Schlotzsky's^®, Moe's Southwest Grill^®, Auntie Anne's^® and McAlister's Deli^®, as well as Seattle's Best Coffee^® on certain military bases and in certain international markets. Please visit www.focusbrands.com to learn more.