McAlister’s Deli

McAlister’s Deli is a fast-casual restaurant brand known for its deli-style sandwiches, baked potatoes, salads, soups, and signature sweet tea. The company was founded in 1989 in Oxford, Mississippi, by Don Newcomb, a retired dentist who opened the first location in a converted gas station. This modest beginning continues to influence the brand’s approachable atmosphere and some elements of its store design.

Over the years, McAlister’s Deli has steadily grown from a regional chain to a national presence. A major milestone came in 2005, when the company, having expanded to 170 restaurants across 19 states, was acquired by Roark Capital Group. Today, McAlister’s Deli operates as part of GoTo Foods, a parent company that also owns several other well-known foodservice brands.

As of November 2025, McAlister’s Deli operates more than 550 locations in 29 states, with a particularly strong footprint in the Midwest and Southeast. The brand has actively expanded into new markets, such as Milwaukee, and continues to target growth in cities like Chicago, as well as states including Texas and Florida. Most of its locations are franchised, with some franchisees managing large, multi-unit portfolios.

In the past five years, McAlister’s Deli has broadened its reach by signing new multi-unit franchise agreements and adapting its restaurant formats to fit a variety of real estate opportunities. The company now operates in both traditional and non-traditional spaces, including endcaps, inlines, and drive-thru locations, reflecting a flexible approach to changing consumer preferences and site availability.

McAlister’s Deli is recognized for its family-friendly atmosphere and strong catering business, making it a consistent draw for shopping centers and mixed-use developments. Its established brand, flexible formats, and ongoing expansion position it as a reliable and attractive tenant for landlords, brokers, and developers seeking steady, high-traffic foodservice operators. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and continues to focus on growth through franchising and strategic market entry.