McAlister's Deli

McAlister's Deli is an American chain of fast casual restaurants founded in 1989 in Oxford, Mississippi, by retired dentist Dr. Don Newcomb.[1] There are currently over 450 locations in 28 states,[2] ranging from Virginia in the East to Florida in the South to Arizona in West to Michigan[3] in the North. The menu includes deli sandwiches, "giant spuds" (baked potatoes), soups, salads, and desserts, as well as catering items such as sandwich trays and boxed lunches. The chain is also known for its McAlister's Famous Sweet Tea, which is available by the glass or by the gallon.

McAlister's Deli
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryRestaurant
Founded1989 (1989) in Oxford, Mississippi, United States
FounderDon Newcomb
HeadquartersAtlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Number of locations
450+
Area served
United States
Key people
Joe Guith (President)
Natalia Franco (CMO)
ParentFocus Brands
Websitewww.mcalistersdeli.com
The original McAlister's Deli in Oxford, Mississippi
McAlister's Deli in Uptown Albuquerque

The company is owned — along with Schlotzsky's, Carvel, Moe's Southwest Grill, Cinnabon, Jamba,[4] and Auntie Anne's brands — by Focus Brands, an affiliate of private equity firm Roark Capital Group,[5] based in Atlanta, operating over 5,000 stores.

History
Old logo

The original restaurant was started in a renovated gas station, and many of the elements of that original look are present in many McAlister's Delis built today, such as a garage door, and nostalgic black-and-white tile. The deli originally opened under the name Checker's and was later changed to McAlister's.

In 1999, founder Don Newcomb sold the company to CEO Michael J. Stack and executive Philip Friedman for an undisclosed amount. Stack replaced Newcomb while retaining his CEO position. Newcomb remained in the company as a board director and as an exclusive franchisee for Kentucky. At the time of the sale, McAlister's Deli had 45 franchised and company-owned locations in the Southeast.[6]

Roark Capital Group acquired McAlister's Deli in 2005. At the time of the acquisition, McAlister's Deli had 170 franchised and company-owned locations in 19 states.[7]

Most McAlister's Deli restaurants are owned and operated by independent franchisees, ranging from single-location, family-owned operations, to larger, multi-unit groups such as JME, Inc., DMAC 81 LLC (with locations in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina), and The Saxton Group. The Saxton Group is the largest franchisee of McAlister's Deli, with 65+ locations in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri.The longest known worker is Karen Lovell located in East Tennessee.[8] The chain's headquarters is located in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2004, after selling McAlister's Deli, Newcomb founded the fast casual restaurant chain Newk's Eatery.[9]

See also

References
  1. "McAlister's was, and remains, a concept whose time has come". Mississippi Business Journal. October 27, 2003. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2008.
  2. "McAlister's Deli: Find Your McAlister's Deli Restaurant Near You". Mcalistersdeli.com. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  3. "LETTER: Restaurants should work to become greener". statenews.com. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  4. beveragedaily.com. "Jamba Juice acquired by Focus Brands for $200m". beveragedaily.com. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  5. Focus Brands To Buy Cinnabon From AFC Enterprises. New York Times, September 9, 2004
  6. Evans, Chuck (May 9, 1999). "Uncle Sam's wants your business". Birmingham Business Journal.
  7. "Roark Capital buys McAlister's Deli". Memphis Business Journal. August 9, 2005.
  8. "About Us". The Saxton Group. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  9. "Newk's Express Café". Retrieved August 12, 2016.

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