McAlister's Deli, a leading fast-casual restaurant, announced that Donna Josephson has joined the company as vice president of marketing.

She brings to McAlister's more than 20 years of restaurant marketing experience and has been instrumental in developing and implementing innovative customer and franchisee marketing programs throughout her career.

"Donna brings a wealth of experience with brand marketing programs on a national and regional level and in supporting franchisees with local marketing initiatives," says McAlister's Deli President and CEO Frank Paci. "We believe she will be a great addition to our team and look forward to her contributions to growing the McAlister's Deli brand."

Most recently, Josephson served as regional marketing director for The Wendy's Company, Inc., where she was responsible for marketing at more than 1,700 franchise and company restaurants, spearheading local media planning and product testing, as well as building franchise and operations partnerships.

In 2011, she won the R. David Thomas Outstanding Management Award that recognized her efforts to support operations.

Josephson's experience also includes serving in a variety of marketing roles at Applebee's International, Inc. where she helped launch the brand's Carside To Go and Weight Watcher's programs.

Early in her career, she worked at Chick-fil-A, pioneering some of its local marketing programs.

"I am thrilled to be joining such an exciting growth brand as McAlister's Deli," Josephson says. "I look forward to working with the dedicated McAlister's team and the strong network of franchisees as we continue to grow the brand together." 

Josephson holds both a bachelor of science degree and an MBA in business management from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.