Is McAlister's Deli right for you?
Established Scale
533 franchised units across 31 states provide brand awareness and operational benchmarks.
the financial-performance disclosure Disclosure
Average net sales of $1,868,219 reported by 477 traditional franchises in fiscal 2025.
Parent Platform
Backed by GoTo Foods portfolio including Moe's, Schlotzsky's, and others for shared supply and marketing leverage.
About McAlister's Deli
McAlister's Deli is a fast-casual restaurant concept specializing in deli sandwiches, spuds, salads, and Southern-style sweet tea. The brand was founded in 1989 and began franchising under its current structure in April 2017. As of December 31 2025 the system included 533 franchised restaurants and 39 affiliate-owned locations under parent company GoTo Foods LLC.
Operators run made-to-order deli kitchens focused on lunch and dinner dayparts with an emphasis on scratch-made items and signature tea. Restaurants operate in inline, end-cap and freestanding formats typically within shopping centers. The model combines counter service, catering, and delivery channels while maintaining strict supply-chain standards on proprietary ingredients and packaging.
GoTo Foods LLC, a Delaware limited liability company formerly known as Focus Brands LLC, is the indirect parent company of McAlister’s Franchisor SPV LLC and six other franchise systems: Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba, Moe’s, and Schlotzsky’s.
The business model
How a McAlister's Deli territory actually makes money at the unit level.
Initial Franchise Fee
Single-unit fee is $35,500. Management training program fee of $15,000 applies to the third and subsequent restaurants.
Ongoing Fees
Royalty is 5 percent of net sales. Advertising contribution is currently 2 percent of net sales and may increase to 3 percent.
Total Investment Range
End-cap or inline location requires $910,175 to $1,816,100. Freestanding sites carry higher estimates up to $2,575,400.
Supply Chain Structure
Franchisees must purchase 85 percent of ongoing needs and 80 percent of initial purchases from approved suppliers. Franchisor and affiliates received $22.6 million in rebates in fiscal 2025.
Unit Economics Snapshot
Fiscal 2025 traditional franchise sales ranged from $635,548 to $4,932,405. 44 percent of reporting units exceeded the $1,868,219 average.
System Growth
Franchised outlets increased net 14 units in 2023, 18 in 2024, and 9 in 2025. 38 new outlets are projected for the next 12 months.
Quick facts
Initial franchise fee
$35,500
Total investment range
$910,175 to $1,816,100
Royalty
5.00% of gross revenue
Marketing fund
2.00% of gross revenue
Founded
2017
Headquarters
Atlanta, GA
Active US franchisees
18
Total US units
18
Training & support
What the franchisor + parent platform provide. And what they don't.
What's provided
- +Management Training Program covering system standards, policies, and procedures.
- +Initial training for restaurant management teams prior to opening.
- +On-site training and assistance for the first two restaurants at no additional program fee.
- +Ongoing operational support including supplier management, advertising review, and standards updates.
- +Access to electronic learning management system.
- +Review and approval of grand opening advertising materials.
Honest disclosure: what's NOT provided
The the filed disclosures does not disclose specific hours, location, or detailed curriculum for initial training. No training is provided for non-management staff or for specialized roles such as delivery logistics or advanced financial analysis.
Multi-unit growth path
Multi-unit development is available through a separate Multi-Unit Addendum with case-by-case development schedules and non-exclusive site selection areas. The management training program fee is waived for the first two restaurants and applies thereafter. On-site training fees begin with the fourth restaurant. Current operator data shows limited multi-unit ownership within the sampled franchisees.
Capital + financing paths
Most operators use one of these four paths to fund the initial investment.
SBA 7(a) Loans
Franchise is eligible for SBA financing. Lenders may finance up to 50-75 percent of the total project cost subject to personal guarantees and collateral.
Equipment and Build-Out Financing
Specialized lenders offer lease or loan programs for the $224,900-$329,400 equipment package and construction costs.
Franchisor or Affiliate Referral
GoTo Foods Funding LLC may provide information on third-party financing sources although no direct financing is offered by the franchisor.
Conventional Bank or Private Capital
Strong personal credit, liquid assets, and net worth typically required to secure loans for the $910,175-$1,816,100 investment range.
Process timeline: inquiry → grand opening
Typical 12-16 week path from first call to launching your first customer route.
Week 1-2
Execute franchise agreement and pay initial $35,500 fee. Begin site selection within designated area.
Week 3-8
Secure real estate approval, complete architectural plans, and obtain permits.
Week 9-20
Construction and build-out. Schedule on-site inspections as required.
Week 21-24
Attend management training program. Order equipment, signage, and initial inventory.
Week 25
Complete grand opening marketing commitment of at least $25,000. Finalize POS configuration.
Week 26
Restaurant opening with on-site support for initial operations.
Week 27-38
Stabilize operations during first three months while managing working capital requirements.
Match assessment
Are you a McAlister's Deli match?
12 questions. Math-first. No high-pressure sales call afterwards. Just your match assessment and the reasoning behind it.
Start nowCommon questions
How much does a McAlister's Deli franchise cost?
Total initial investment ranges from $910,175 to $1,816,100 for end-cap or inline locations according to the investment disclosure of the the filed disclosures. The initial franchise fee is $35,500.
What is the McAlister's Deli royalty and advertising fee?
Royalty is 5 percent of net sales. Advertising contribution is currently 2 percent of net sales and may be increased to 3 percent.
Does McAlister's Deli provide financial performance representations?
Yes. the financial-performance disclosure reports average net sales of $1,868,219 for 477 traditional franchises in fiscal 2025. 44 percent of units exceeded this average. Individual results vary and costs are not disclosed.
How many McAlister's Deli locations are there?
As of December 31 2025 there were 533 franchised restaurants and 39 affiliate-owned restaurants for a total of 572 units.
What is the difference between McAlister's Deli and its competitors?
McAlister's differentiates through signature sweet tea, scratch-made spuds, and a broad deli sandwich menu. The brand operates within the GoTo Foods portfolio which provides supply chain scale compared to independent fast-casual deli concepts.
Does McAlister's Deli offer exclusive territory rights?
Franchisees may receive a limited area of protection on a case-by-case basis. The franchisor reserves rights for captive audience locations, delivery kitchens, catering, and alternative channels.
How long does it take to open a McAlister's Deli franchise?
Typical timeline from agreement to opening is 6 to 9 months depending on site acquisition, permitting, and construction.
What training and support does McAlister's Deli provide?
The franchisor offers a management training program for operators and management teams. Ongoing support includes supplier management, advertising review, operations guidance, and access to an electronic learning management system.
Are McAlister's Deli franchisees required to buy from approved suppliers?
Yes. Approximately 85 percent of ongoing purchases and 80 percent of initial purchases must come from approved suppliers. Proprietary goods must be purchased from the franchisor, affiliates, or designated suppliers.
What is the multi-unit ownership path for McAlister's Deli?
Multi-unit agreements are negotiated individually. The first two restaurants do not incur the additional management training program fee. Current operator data indicates limited multi-unit penetration among sampled franchisees.
Does McAlister's Deli provide financing?
The franchisor does not offer direct financing. GoTo Foods Funding LLC may refer franchisees to third-party lenders. SBA 7(a) financing is commonly used for this concept.
How has McAlister's Deli franchise system grown?
Franchised units grew net 14 in 2023, 18 in 2024, and 9 in 2025. 38 new outlets are projected for the next 12 months.
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