GoTo Foods, home to seven iconic brands including Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba?, McAlister’s Deli, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and Schlotzsky’s Deli, is accelerating McAlister’s Deli’s U.S. expansion. Based on franchise agreements signed in 2025, franchisees committed to develop 58 new restaurants. In total, signed franchise agreements now commit franchisees to develop 265 McAlister’s Deli restaurants nationwide by 2032, reflecting continued demand for a guest-first brand model designed to support disciplined, long-term franchisee growth.
Franchise Partnerships Fueling Expansion
Multi-unit operators were instrumental in McAlister’s Deli’s momentum last year, reflecting continued confidence in the brand’s customer-first operating model and disciplined approach to growth. These relationships are helping build a market density–focused development pipeline designed to deliver consistent guest experiences, operational simplicity and long-term restaurant performance, rather than one-off expansion.
Key Highlights:
- Southern Rock Restaurants: Secured a new development agreement for 16 additional locations through 2032. The group currently operates 165 McAlister’s Deli restaurants, with 73 more in active development across Virginia and the broader Midwest, reinforcing its position as one of the brand’s largest and fastest‑growing operators.
- Regional Expansion Momentum: McAlister’s Deli continues to accelerate growth across key markets, with new multi‑unit development agreements signed throughout Florida, Alabama, Minneapolis–St. Paul and the greater Midwest. These commitments further strengthen the brand’s presence in high‑opportunity regions and support its long‑term strategic expansion plan.
“Our multi-unit operators are central to McAlister’s Deli’s growth, and their continued investment reflects confidence in a model that works for both guests and franchisees,” said Danielle Porto Parra, Chief Brand Officer. “We grow by staying grounded in what matters most – nourishing genuine connections with guests and providing them a little something extra, supporting operators with clarity, consistency and ease of operations, and expanding in ways that strengthen communities and restaurant performance over time.”
Supporting Operators for Long-Term Success
McAlister’s Deli continues to attract experienced operators with a proven track record who are focused on long-term growth. Franchisees benefit from a clear, repeatable operating model designed to support guest satisfaction while managing complexity at the restaurant level. Comprehensive support across real estate, operations, marketing and supply chain helps operators scale with consistency and confidence, while menu innovation focuses on maintaining guest favorites and simplifying execution as the system grows.
“McAlister’s Deli combines a strong brand with a proven operational model, making it an ideal partner for multi-unit growth,” said Max Piet, CEO of Southern Rock Restaurants. “The support structure helps us open restaurants thoughtfully, maintain consistency for guests and focus on running strong, sustainable businesses in the markets we serve.”
Nourishing Connections and Delivering Strong ULE Across the Nation
Building on 2025’s momentum, McAlister’s Deli is leveraging a people-first brand ethos and a disciplined growth strategy to densify key markets and ensure sustainable expansion. Its “Fast Casual Plus” service model blends the warmth and attentiveness of casual dining with the speed and convenience guests expect. Through tableside ordering and service, free refills and genuine hospitality, McAlister’s Deli creates personal, repeatable experiences that drive loyalty and frequency.
The brand’s evolving on-trend menu balances choice, familiarity and ease of execution. With more than 150 menu items as of year-end 2025 (spanning sandwiches, spuds, soups, salads, desserts, catering, a proprietary beverage platform of iced teas and lemonades with customizable flavors and LTOs), intuitive menu boards and streamlined kitchen flow simplify ordering while supporting consistent restaurant-level performance.
Regional Focus for Growth:
- Midwest: Northwestern IL, Southern WI, Minnesota, Cleveland, Toledo, Detroit
- Northeast: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
- West: Salt Lake City, Colorado
Comprehensive onboarding, operational tools and training make it easier for experienced operators to open and manage multiple locations efficiently. By pairing operational discipline with a purpose centered on nourishing connections, McAlister’s is building a growth platform designed to strengthen guest relationships and support long-term franchisee success.
