MCALISTER’S DELI EXPANDING TO DENVER

(Denver, CO)—-Southern Deli LLC, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based group that owns 13 McAlister’s Deli restaurants in the Charlotte and Winston-Salem areas, with the 14th opening in mid-October, has signed a major development deal for 10 locations in Denver over the next four to five years.

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

With all their success in Charlotte, Southern Deli LLC began searching for other markets with similar demographics. Goldman remarked, “We looked all over the country and feel that Denver is a really great place for McAlister’s.”

With a proven track record in Charlotte, McAlister’s expansion into Denver is anticipated to be well received.

"From day one, we have always believed that this concept is based on great service, and our great service has brought customers back over and over,” stated Goldman.

Along with excellence in quality and service, one of McAlister’s greatest assets is the variety of the menu. With an average bill of $7.25, McAlister’s offers fresh, healthy food in a quick, casual setting.
Customers order at the counter, choosing from more than 100 varieties of freshly prepared deli-style foods including sandwiches, wraps, soups, baked potatoes, salads, desserts and McAlister’s famous sweet tea. Customers decide if they would like their food delivered to their table in the dining area or packaged for take-out. Either option produces a fresh, delicious meal in fewer than 10 minutes.

“McAlister’s Deli is a company that is really right for the times. This segment of quick casual is catching fire, as it fully satisfies the evolving demographics in America,” said Phil Friedman, president and CEO of McAlister’s Deli.

With a strong expansion strategy in place, McAlister’s Deli currently has over 200 restaurants operating in the United States and is estimated to surpass sales of $260 million in 2006. Aiming for 85 percent franchise owned restaurants, McAlister’s is targeting multi-unit operators in their efforts to expand.

Goldman, a veteran to the McAlister’s Deli system, originally started with the company as a manager in the mid 1990s. In 1999 he opened his first McAlister’s Deli restaurant with his partner, John Clark, and the newly established Southern Deli LLC group.

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About McAlister’s Deli:

McAlister’s Deli is quick/casual restaurant chain featuring efficient counter ordering, attentive table service, high-quality deli-style foods (sandwiches, spuds, salads) and great price value. In 2005 sales exceeded $207 million and with the company's strong expansion strategy in place, sales for 2006 are estimated to surpass $260 million. Currently, McAlister’s Deli has over 200 restaurants operating in the United States.

Currently operating in Illinois, Virginia, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina and South Carolina, McAlister's plans expansion into Nebraska, Iowa, New Mexico, Kansas and possibly other states, by the close of 2006. Visit www.mcalistersdeli.com for more information.