RIDGELAND, Miss. — The International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) has awarded the 2008 Silver Plate in the Chain Full Service category to Phil Friedman, president, chairman and CEO of McAlister's Deli Corp.
Each year, the Silver Plates recognize the industry's most outstanding and accomplished foodservice operators in nine key segments. Now in its 54th year, the awards program honors operator leaders who show extraordinary dedication, creativity and achievement in their segments of operation.
With 303 restaurants in 19 states, McAlister's Deli has an annual sales volume of $333 million. Chain-wide meals total 143,750 per day and average 575 per unit. Average restaurant sales are nearly $26.1 million annually, with 30 percent of restaurants garnering sales over $30,000.
Under Friedman's guidance, McAlister's has implemented a new Web program called Deli Net, which provides feedback on guest satisfaction. The program has increased the customer survey sample size to 100,000 data points representing 55 responses per restaurant per month.
Friedman also is a board member for the International Franchise Association, the Mississippi Restaurant Association, and the National Restaurant Association. Under Friedman's direction, McAlister's Deli also supports Toys for Tots each year, with collections made at the restaurants then deposited for the Children's Miracle Network. He also is an active lobbyist for the International Food Service Association and Nation's Restaurant News.
Friedman and the eight other Silver Plate Award winners were selected from nominations by an IFMA jury comprising of last year's Silver Plate Award recipients, chief editors of national foodservice trade publications and the chairperson of the International Gold & Silver Plate Society.
As a Silver Plate Award winner, Friedman is a contender for IFMA's prestigious Gold Plate Award and the title of Foodservice Operator of the Year. The Gold Plate winner's identity is being held in confidence until the Gold & Silver Plate Celebration on May 19 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers.
