McAlister's Deli Reports Strong Franchise Growth and Menu Development

- Award-winning Fast Casual Concept Announces 2015 Expansion Plans and Target Markets for Franchise Development -

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Jan 20, 2015, 09:07 ET

ALPHARETTA, Ga., Jan. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- McAlister's^® Deli, a leading fast casual chain, announced a successful year of franchise growth and menu development in 2014 during the brand's 25^th anniversary year.

McAlister's opened 19 new restaurants in 2014 and expanded the brand to several new markets, including Columbus and Dayton, Ohio; Evansville, Ind.; Pooler, Ga.; and The Villages, Fla. The company also signed 12 development agreements representing 77 future locations, up 18 percent over 2013. These agreements are in both new and existing markets such as Houston, Chicago, Austin, Middle Tennessee, Cleveland, North and South Carolina, Colorado, Wyoming, Rochester and Panama City, Fla., among others.

Additionally, McAlister's promoted its line of Big Bold Sandwiches with the addition of the limited-time-only Big Bold Cheesesteak and added a new line of made-for-you flavored beverages that included Wild Berry Tea, Peach Tea, Strawberry Lemonade and Watermelon Lemonade. The brand also celebrated its 6^th annual Free Tea Day, serving nearly 322,000 glasses of its Famous Sweet Tea™ to guests across the country.

"McAlister's experienced incredible growth in 2014 and we undoubtedly will continue to ride that momentum throughout 2015 and beyond," said McAlister's Deli President Carin Stutz, who joined the brand in November 2014. "McAlister's is bigger and more widespread than ever before and that is due to the passion of our franchisees and operators, as well as our great food and genuine hospitality. I'm excited to be a part of a brand with such immense potential and look forward to driving its growth."

In 2015, McAlister's expects to open 30 new restaurants around the country. The first locations to open in 2015 include openings in Spring Hill, Tenn.; North Myrtle Beach, and Muncie, Ind. To continue its growth, McAlister's is currently is seeking qualified franchisees to expand the brand in states such as New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Florida and Georgia.

McAlister's also will continue to expand its menu this year, focusing on serving American Regional Favorites and more of what its guests crave.

"Last year was a significant year for the evolution of our menu and our guests will continue to see more creativity in the kitchen throughout 2015," said McAlister's Deli Vice President of Global Marketing Donna Josephson. "Our attention will be on innovations around our Big Bold platform and flavored beverages, offering guests more delicious options to satisfy their hunger at any time of day. We will be announcing an exciting and completely new offering at McAlister's in the next few weeks, which we are sure guests will absolutely love!"

Technomic^® has recognized McAlister's twice in its Chain Restaurant Consumers' Choice Awards — 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 "Top Franchises" in the Food and Beverage category in 2015 and 2014 based on franchisee satisfaction. In 2014, Nation's Restaurant News named McAlister's the top limited-service sandwich chain in its Consumer Picks Survey. Also 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 more than 335 restaurants in 24 states. The company is headquartered in Alpharetta, Ga. For more information, visit www.mcalistersdeli.com.