McAlister’s Corporation announced it is continuing to move forward with its plan for growth and national expansion. The successes of the newly implemented “Choose Any Two” menu and national “Free Tea Day,” along with aggressive franchise sales plans and national recognition, served to bolster the sandwich chain.

The most recent accolades for McAlister’s included president and CEO Phil Friedman receiving the Silver Plate Award in 2008 and the Gold Chain award in 2009.

McAlister’s also announced the following organizational changes: Natalie Blacher, previously the vice president of marketing, was promoted to senior vice president of marketing; Annica Kreider, previously the director of marketing services, was promoted to vice president of marketing; John Drummond, previously the senior director of human resources, was promoted to vice president of human resources; Charles Corley, previously the manager of franchise operations, is now serving as the vice president of operations; and Vickie Frisbie, formerly the senior director of training at Corner Bakery Café, was named vice president of training.

“McAlister’s is very fortunate to be able to attract this level of executive talent in these difficult times,” Friedman says. “Because of the experience and leadership this team brings to us, we are very well situated to take advantage of the business turn when it comes to the restaurant industry.”