McAlister's Deli Franchisee To Develop 30 New Restaurants In Three States

ALPHARETTA, Ga., Aug. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- McAlister's Deli, a leading fast casual restaurant, announced its largest franchisee, The Saxton Group, has signed an agreement to develop 30 new restaurants in three states over the next six years. The growth will occur in markets throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri with a primary focus in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Kansas City markets.

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"This agreement represents The Saxton Group's long-term commitment to the McAlister's brand by growing our presence in new and existing markets," said company founder and Chairman Kelly Saxton. "Our future growth will not only create approximately 1,500 jobs in these local communities, but also directly benefits our more than 2,000 existing employee-owners that are invested in our Employee Stock Ownership Program."

"The Saxton Group has been a strong franchise partner since it opened its first McAlister's in 1998 and has been named franchisee of the year multiple times," said McAlister's Deli President and CEO Frank Paci. "We are excited to have them continue to grow the brand and to bring McAlister's great food, genuine hospitality and famous sweet tea to more locations."

Three locations included in the agreement have already opened this year in Midwest City, Okla., Dallas and Sherman, Texas. The Saxton Group has plans for additional locations in Irving, Texas, and Lawton, Okla., in the first quarter of 2014, followed by at least two restaurants in the Kansas City market in 2014. The Saxton Group currently owns 54 restaurants throughout Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri and Kansas. In January 2013, The Saxton Group created an Employee Stock Ownership Program ("ESOP"), becoming one of the largest 100 percent, employee-owned companies in the restaurant industry. Under the plan, eligible employees will earn shares of The Saxton Group stock over time.

McAlister's has undertaken initiatives to strengthen its brand, including upgrading menu offerings and improving speed of service. Technomic recently recognized the brand as the 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 franchising opportunities with McAlister's, please contact (888) 855-DELI (3354) or [email protected], or visit www.mcalistersdelifranchise.com.

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 23 states. The company has corporate offices in both Ridgeland, Miss., and Alpharetta, Ga. For more information, visit www.mcalistersdeli.com.

About The Saxton Group
A 100% Employee Owned Company, The Saxton Group has been part of the restaurant industry for over 30 years. The Saxton Group has a rich history of multi-unit and multi-brand development. Initially a small operation with a single restaurant, the group has evolved into industry veterans and leaders with locations operating in four states. A 2013 acquisition made The Saxton Group the largest McAlister's Deli franchisee in the country, owning and operating over 50 locations. As one of Restaurant Franchise Monitor's Top 100 Restaurant Franchisees, The Saxton Group is aggressively expanding McAlister's Deli and Pinkberry concepts. Through the years, The Saxton Group has maintained a family approach to business and takes pride in teaching every employee about the restaurant business from the ground up. The group is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. For more information, please visit www.thesaxtongroup.com

SOURCE McAlister's Deli