McAlister's Deli inks Denver development deal

DENVER — McAlister's Deli has signed a multiunit development deal with an existing franchisee here.

 

According to a news release, Southern Deli LLC, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based group, agreed to open 10 locations over five years in the Denver area. Southern Deli currently owns 13 McAlister's Deli restaurants in the Charlotte and Winston-Salem areas.

 

"McAlister's is a great and growing brand. We expect to have fully developed the Charlotte markets within 10 to 24 months. Now we are looking to expand," said Yaron Goldman, president of Southern Deli LLC.

 

Company officials said the goal is for 85 percent of the chain to be franchise owned, and that's why McAlister's is targeting multiunit operators in their efforts to expand.

 

Yaron said the company chose Denver because it seemed like a good market for McAlister's. The fast-casual chain has more than 200 restaurants operating in the United States, and the company estimates it will reach $260 million in total sales for 2006.