McAlister’s Deli, a leading fast casual restaurant chain known for its Big & Bold Sandwiches, Famous Sweet Tea, announced it is looking for new partnerships with experienced multi-unit franchise owners as the brand continues its expansion into Michigan.
“Central and Western Michigan represents an important part of McAlister’s growth strategy, and we’re excited about the brand’s continued expansion into the region,” says Jeff Sturgis, McAlister’s vice president of Franchise Sales. “The McAlister’s Deli brand has become a top choice for some of the most successful multi-unit franchise owners in the country, so we’re excited to watch the brand grow in these areas due in large part to the talent of our franchisees.”
As the company looks to open additional locations in the area, they are actively seeking qualified franchisees to develop in the areas in and around Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. Currently, McAlister’s has one location in the state of Michigan, located in Lansing, and several locations in Northern Indiana, including Valparaiso, South Bend, and Fort Wayne.
McAlister’s had a successful year of franchise growth in 2015 with $548 million in system-wide sales, the opening of 27 new restaurants—some in new markets, including Chicago, Rochester, and Orlando—and nearly 60 commitments for new restaurants. This growth is fueled by both existing franchisees as well as new partnerships with experienced multi-unit franchise owners with notable portfolios.
The company has attracted a record number of franchise inquiries in recent years due to its quality leadership, healthy sales to investment ratio, and exceptional company performance.