American Deli

American Deli is a regional quick-service restaurant chain that focuses on made-to-order wings, cheesesteaks, subs, fried fish and shrimp, gyros, and burgers. The brand operates in a counter-service format where most customers order at the counter, then take their food to go, order through delivery apps, or grab a quick bite in a small dining area. It’s built as a neighborhood spot for bold, freshly prepared comfort food, with menus that highlight customizable wing flavors, combo meals, and value-driven lunch and late-night traffic.

The company started in 1989 when the first American Deli opened in the Atlanta area, quickly gaining a following for its buffalo wings and cheesesteaks. From the beginning, it leaned into mall food courts and small inline spaces, which helped it grow in high-traffic retail environments. Over time, the brand expanded through franchising, first across Georgia and then into neighboring Southeastern states, building a system of neighborhood locations in areas with steady everyday traffic.

As of December 2024, American Deli has about 190 locations across several states, with the largest concentration in Georgia and a strong presence in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The brand’s footprint includes inline spaces in neighborhood centers, urban streetfront spots, endcaps, and enclosed mall food courts, typically in middle-income, high-density areas that support strong takeout and delivery demand. Most locations are open seven days a week and emphasize evening and late-night hours, which helps capture traffic from nearby retail, residential, and commuter patterns.

In recent years, American Deli has continued to grow its franchise network, focusing on the Southeast while selectively expanding into adjacent markets that have similar demographics and real estate dynamics. The brand’s expansion strategy relies heavily on backfilling second-generation restaurant spaces and small inline units, which keeps build-out and occupancy costs relatively low. This approach allows the company to scale efficiently in grocery-anchored centers, community retail strips, and regional malls where there is good visibility, easy access, and enough parking.

For landlords, brokers, and developers, American Deli functions as a traffic-driving quick-service tenant that fits well in food courts and inline retail. It’s a brand that can move into existing restaurant spaces with modest build-out needs, generate consistent daily visits, and support a mix of fast-casual and value-oriented co-tenants in neighborhood and community centers.