McAlister's Deli Signs Development Agreement with New Franchise Group to Open 10 Locations

ALPHARETTA, Ga., Sept. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- McAlister's^® Deli, a leading fast casual restaurant, announced today it has signed an agreement with new franchise group MidSouth Hospitality, Inc. to open 10 locations in Middle Tennessee. Led by McAlister's veteran Charles Corley, MidSouth Hospitality, Inc. will be opening its first McAlister's in early 2015. The newly formed company plans to open a total of 10 new restaurants over the next seven years.

"Nashville and Middle Tennessee are areas that have additional development potential for McAlister's," said McAlister's Chief Development Officer Jeff Sturgis. "With three restaurants already operating in the Nashville market, we see this growth as an opportunity to further develop the brand throughout the region and we are especially excited about the partnership with Charles. His years of operating and development experience provide the type of partners we are seeking."

MidSouth Hospitality Inc. makes its franchising debut with the McAlister's Deli Tennessee development agreement, however, Corley, President of MidSouth Hospitality, is no stranger to McAlister's franchising. Corley began as a McAlister's franchisee in 2000 and spent five years cultivating his portfolio in Kentucky before joining the corporate team as Vice President of Operations.

"I have loved McAlister's since day one. I have thoroughly enjoyed my various roles with the brand and all the people I have worked with over the past 14 years," said Corley. "We always use the phrase 'McAlister's genuine hospitality,' but that's not just a marketing slogan; it is a philosophy that holds true from the individual restaurants to our franchisees to the corporate office. It is why I have had such longevity with the system and why I continue to invest and believe in the McAlister's brand."

Technomic^® recognized McAlister's twice in its Chain Restaurant Consumers' Choice Awards — in 2014 as the top kid-friendly fast casual chain and in 2013 as the top fast casual chain for food and beverage. This year, 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 and Franchise Business Review named McAlister's one of the "Top Food Franchises" in 2014 based on franchisee satisfaction.

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 330 restaurants in 24 states. The company has corporate offices in both Alpharetta, Ga., and Ridgeland, Miss. For more information, visit www.mcalistersdeli.com.

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SOURCE McAlister's Deli