McAlister's Deli facts for kids
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| Subsidiary | |
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1989 in Oxford, Mississippi, United States |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
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Number of locations
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550+ |
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Area served
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United States |
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Key people
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| Parent | GoTo Foods |
McAlister's Deli is a popular American restaurant chain. It started in 1989 in Oxford, Mississippi. A retired dentist named Don Newcomb created it.
Today, there are over 550 McAlister's Deli locations. You can find them in 29 different states across the United States.
The restaurants are known for their tasty food. Their menu includes deli sandwiches, big baked potatoes called "giant spuds," soups, and salads. They also offer catering, like sandwich trays for parties. McAlister's Deli is especially famous for its sweet tea. You can buy it by the glass or even by the gallon!
McAlister's Deli is part of a larger group of food brands. This group is called GoTo Foods. Other well-known brands in this group include Schlotzsky's, Carvel, Moe's Southwest Grill, Cinnabon, Jamba, and Auntie Anne's.
How McAlister's Deli Started
The very first McAlister's Deli opened in a building that used to be a gas station. Many of the restaurants built today still have parts of that original look. For example, some have a garage door or cool black-and-white floor tiles.
When it first opened, the deli was called Checker's. Later, its name was changed to McAlister's.
In 1999, the founder, Don Newcomb, sold the company. He sold it to Michael J. Stack and Philip Friedman. At that time, McAlister's Deli had 45 restaurants. These were a mix of company-owned and franchised locations. They were mostly in the southeastern United States.
Growth and Ownership
A company called Roark Capital Group bought McAlister's Deli in 2005. By then, McAlister's Deli had grown quite a bit. It had 170 restaurants in 19 different states.
Most McAlister's Deli restaurants are owned by independent people or groups. These are called franchisees. Some franchisees own just one restaurant. Others own many locations. For example, Southern Rock Restaurants is a very large franchisee. They operate 148 McAlister's Deli locations in 12 states.
The main office for McAlister's Deli is in Atlanta, Georgia.
See also
