- 2024 Franchise 500 Rank
-
#47 Ranked #48 last year
- Initial investment
-
$1.1M - $2.5M
- Units as of 2024
-
550 12.0% over 3 years
Company Overview
About McAlister's Deli
Industry | Food |
---|---|
Related Categories | Miscellaneous Sandwiches, Sandwiches |
Founded | 1989 |
Parent Company | GoTo Foods |
Leadership | Mike Freeman, Chief Brand Officer |
Corporate Address |
5620 Glenridge Dr. Atlanta, GA 30342 |
Social | Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok |
More from McAlister's Deli
Create Craveable Connections In your Community
Blame it on our small-town roots, but we believe great food, a warm smile and a tall glass of sweet tea is the fix for almost anything. McAlister’s Deli® offers guests more than hearty sandwiches piled high and sides worth sharing. Through genuine Southern hospitality and friendly conversation, we aim to make every guest feel like our place is their place, too. Become a part of something special with a McAlister’s Deli® of your very own.

Simple Operations
Your restaurant won’t require grills, fryers, or late nights, meaning you can save on resources.
More Ways to Enjoy
With dine-in, takeout, catering, online ordering and a pick-up window, McAlister’s Deli diversifies sales while giving guests the flexibility they crave.
Real Estate & Construction
Experts from our Real Estate and Design & Construction teams are available to support and answer any questions during your site selection process.
Back to School
Join us for training in a classroom and at a high-volume McAlister’s Deli® to get hands-on experience with our menu, operation standards and philosophy of hospitality.
We Have Your Back
A dedicated franchise business consultant provides valuable support as you operate your business while a supply chain team helps you leverage spend management.
Marketing Support
Get ready for growth with national campaigns and assistance from a field marketing manager who will help you create a localized marketing plan.

This information is not intended as an offer to sell a franchise. We will not offer you a franchise until we have complied with disclosure and registration requirements in your jurisdiction. Contact McAlister’s Franchisor SPV LLC, located at 5620 Glenridge Drive, NE, Atlanta, GA 30342, to request a copy of our FDD. RESIDENTS OF NEW YORK: This advertisement is not an offering. An offering can only be made by a prospectus filed first with the Department of Law of the State of New York. Such filing does not constitute approval by the New York Department of Law. RESIDENTS OF MINNESOTA: MN Franchise Registration Numbers: McAlister’s Franchisor SPV LLC: F-8196.
Business Overview
Franchising Since | 1994 (30 years) |
---|---|
# of employees at HQ | 119 |
Where seeking |
This company is offering new franchises throughout the US. |
# of Units | 550 (as of 2024) |
|
Information for Franchisees
Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a McAlister's Deli franchise.
Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees
Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.
Initial Franchise Fee
|
$35,500 |
---|---|
Initial Investment
|
$1,053,925 - $2,488,500 |
Net Worth Requirement
|
$1,000,000 |
Cash Requirement
|
$425,000 |
Veteran Incentives
|
$15,500 off franchise fee |
Royalty Fee
|
5% |
Ad Royalty Fee
|
2% |
Term of Agreement
|
20 years |
Is franchise term renewable? | Yes |
Financing Options
Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.
Third Party Financing | McAlister's Deli has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll |
---|
Training & Support Offered
Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.
On-The-Job Training | 36-250 hours |
---|---|
Classroom Training | 18-50 hours |
Ongoing Support |
Newsletter
Meetings & Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security & Safety Procedures
Lease Negotiation
Field Operations
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
Franchisee Intranet Platform
|
Marketing Support |
Co-op Advertising
Ad Templates
National Media
Social Media
SEO
Website Development
Email Marketing
Loyalty Program/App
|
Operations
Additional details about running this franchise.
Is absentee ownership allowed? | No |
---|---|
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit?
|
No |
Can this franchise be run part time?
|
No |
# of employees required to run | 40 |
Are exclusive territories available?
|
Yes |
Franchise 500 Ranking History
Compare where McAlister's Deli landed on this year's Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.
Additional Rankings
Curious to know where McAlister's Deli ranked on other franchise lists? Find out below.
Sign Up for Our Franchise Newsletter
Stay up to date on the latest news and trends affecting the franchise industry.
Related Franchise Content
Catch up on the latest franchise news, trends, and more.
When I Became President of KFC, Franchisees and Corporate Hated Each Other. But I Believed This Behavioral Theory Could Bring Them Back Together.
I was handed the undesirable task of righting the ship at Kentucky Fried Chicken. But the challenge allowed me to test a leadership theory.
She Was a Regular at a Struggling Coffee Shop. Then She Bought It, and 4X the Annual Revenue to $1.8 Million.
Kristen Haseotes bought a failing location of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, and then slammed the gas on growth. Here's how she became the franchise's top performer.
How an Idaho State Senator Saved a Beloved Franchise By Hitting the Road In His Camper Van
Peter Riggs' first job out of college was as a Pita Pit franchisee. Years later, he returned as CEO to bring the brand back to life.
Why This Mother Daughter Duo Are Making a Killing on Consignment Handbags In New Jersey
For their business to work, Dianne and Gabrielle Melillo need more than customers. They need a community that has total confidence in them.
Inflation Threatens 87% of Franchisees — Here Are the Ways They're Fighting Back
From soaring labor costs to escalating supply prices, franchise owners are facing significant economic challenges, mostly due to inflation.
You Can Start a Merry Maids House Cleaning Franchise for Under $100k
Inspired by ServiceMaster founder Marion Wade's vision to deliver exceptional service and quality to customers, Merry Maids has grown into an established leader in the residential cleaning industry.