Restaurant chain McAlister's Deli announced Sept. 22 that it has sealed the deal with franchise group Southern Deli Holdings, LLC to put up 10 additional branches.
Three restaurants are expected to be put up in North and South Carolina, Colorado and Wyoming this year, while seven existing locations o St. Louis, Missouri were acquired by the franchise group.
The expansion will get to see two new restaurants per year over the next five years.
"We are excited about McAlister's accelerated growth and expansion and see tremendous opportunity to further develop the brand throughout all five states," said McAlister's Chief Development Officer Jeff Sturgis.
"Southern Deli Holdings, LLC has a long history with McAlister's and is widely recognized as one of our top franchisees. We are confident the team will sustain a loyal fan base throughout these communities and will continue to grow the brand's footprint across the country," Sturgis added.
Southern Deli Holdings run 47 branches in North and South Carolina, Colorado, Missouri and Wyoming.
The franchise group has an expansion plan set for all five states, and plans to broaden its market by expanding to 50 locations by the end of the year.
"McAlister's is expanding nationwide and we are excited to be a part of that growth," said Yaron Goldman, CEO of Southern Deli Holdings, LLC.
"We have experienced strong growth with the brand and look forward to introducing our delicious food and genuine hospitality to even more communities over the next several years," Goldman added.
Goldman worked in McAlister's Deli as a sandwich maker back in 1996. After a year, he became a manager and later on a franchisee at age of 24.
Goldman kicked off with his first franchise in Charlotte,N.C. 3 years after and has developed 47 Southern Deli locations across the U.S.
Meanwhile, McAlister's has been consistently recognized in the fast-casual foodservice industry. The restaurant chain was awarded "Top Kid-Friendly Fast-casual Chain" in 2014 and "Top Fast Casual Chain for Food and Beverage" last 2013.
