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McAlister’s Deli

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Food & Beverage
Sandwich

McAlister’s Deli

McAlister’s Deli Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Deli-style restaurant franchise serving sandwiches, salads, and soups, offering a variety of flavorful options made with quality ingredients, providing a casual and inviting dining experience.

Established in 1989 in Oxford, Mississippi, McAlister's Deli has evolved from a single outlet into a significant player in the fast-casual dining industry. With its current headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, the brand is now a part of GoTo Foods(formerly  Focus Brands), a prominent developer of global multi-channel foodservice brands.

McAlister's Deli is celebrated for its diverse menu, which features substantial sandwiches, large spuds, soups, salads, desserts, and its iconic sweet tea. This varied selection, combined with genuine Southern hospitality, sets McAlister's apart in the market.

The brand distinguishes itself through its dedication to fostering a warm and inviting environment, making every guest feel like part of the McAlister's family. This focus on creating a homely atmosphere reflects the brand's small-town roots and is a fundamental part of its identity.

Operationally, McAlister's Deli maintains efficiency by eliminating the need for grills or fryers, simplifying kitchen processes, and potentially lowering costs.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

McAlister’s Deli offers 2 types of franchises:

Restaurant Type Initial Investment Range
Endcap or Inline Shopping Center Location $1,044,975 to $1,610,700
Newly-Constructed Freestanding Location $1,247,725 to $2,442,200

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a McAlister’s Deli Restaurant at a Newly-Constructed Freestanding Location.

For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

McAlister’s Deli Restaurant at a Newly-Constructed Freestanding Location

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee$35,500
Construction and Build Out Costs$578,800 to $1,317,800
Permitting$6,000 to $15,000
Equipment Package$241,700 to $298,000
Millwork$38,000 to $60,000
Furniture$43,000 to $51,000
Menu Board, Graphics and Interior Signage$25,000 to $28,000
Exterior Signage$92,000 to $133,000
Computer System$22,000 to $58,000
Smallwares$20,000 to $25,400
TV/Music$3,000 to $12,500
Architect/Engineer$24,400 to $64,200
Rent$7,200 to $18,600
Grand Opening Marketing$25,000 to $27,000
Legal and Accounting Fees$3,000 to $10,000
Insurance$1,925 to $9,500
Misc. Opening Costs / Security Deposits$5,000 to $33,000
Management Training Program Fee$0 to $25,000
Travel and Living Expenses during Training$26,200 to $33,700
On-Site Training Fee$0 to $34,000
Opening Inventory$25,000 to $100,000
Additional Funds – 3 Months$25,000 to $53,000
Total Initial Investment$1,247,725 to $2,442,200

McAlister’s Deli offers 2 types of franchises:

Restaurant Type Initial Investment Range
Endcap or Inline Shopping Center Location $1,044,975 to $1,610,700
Newly-Constructed Freestanding Location $1,247,725 to $2,442,200

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a McAlister’s Deli Restaurant at a Newly-Constructed Freestanding Location.

For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

McAlister’s Deli Restaurant at a Newly-Constructed Freestanding Location

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee$35,500
Construction and Build Out Costs$578,800 to $1,317,800
Permitting$6,000 to $15,000
Equipment Package$241,700 to $298,000
Millwork$38,000 to $60,000
Furniture$43,000 to $51,000
Menu Board, Graphics and Interior Signage$25,000 to $28,000
Exterior Signage$92,000 to $133,000
Computer System$22,000 to $58,000
Smallwares$20,000 to $25,400
TV/Music$3,000 to $12,500
Architect/Engineer$24,400 to $64,200
Rent$7,200 to $18,600
Grand Opening Marketing$25,000 to $27,000
Legal and Accounting Fees$3,000 to $10,000
Insurance$1,925 to $9,500
Misc. Opening Costs / Security Deposits$5,000 to $33,000
Management Training Program Fee$0 to $25,000
Travel and Living Expenses during Training$26,200 to $33,700
On-Site Training Fee$0 to $34,000
Opening Inventory$25,000 to $100,000
Additional Funds – 3 Months$25,000 to $53,000
Total Initial Investment$1,247,725 to $2,442,200

McAlister’s Deli

2025

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training 

McAlister’s Deli provides a comprehensive training program for its franchisees, essential for those aiming to manage a McAlister’s Deli franchise effectively. This training ensures franchisees acquire the necessary knowledge and skills.

The program is specifically designed to acquaint franchisees with McAlister’s Deli's unique operational techniques. It encompasses a broad range of topics, including maintaining the brand's operational standards and mastering the details of the menu.

In addition to the initial training, McAlister’s Deli offers ongoing operational training programs. These programs are intended to reinforce and update the brand's operational standards, ensuring uniformity across all locations.

Territory Protection

Franchisees are authorized to operate a McAlister’s Deli Restaurant within a specific "Designated Area," as outlined in the Franchise Agreement. This designated territory is solely intended for site selection purposes.

If franchisees breach the Franchise Agreement and fail to rectify the breach within the specified cure period, McAlister’s Deli reserves the right to reduce or eliminate the franchisee's Area of Protection.

The Area of Protection remains unchanged until the Franchise Agreement expires or is terminated. The territorial protection provided to franchisees is not contingent upon achieving certain sales targets, market penetration, or other criteria, except for adherence to the Franchise Agreement.

Competitors

Below are some of

McAlister’s Deli

key competitors in the

Sandwich

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Sign up
Gross Profit
Sign up
EBITDA
Sign up

524

New
+
7%
7%

$35,500

$1,045,000

$2,442,000

n.a.

$1,792,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Abu Omar Halal

Abu Omar Halal is a Mediterranean street-food franchise offering shawarma, falafel, and grilled halal dishes, serving quick-service guests across food trucks and restaurants, and known for generous portions, bold Middle Eastern flavors, and late-night service in busy urban markets.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$335,000 - $634,000

Extreme Pita

Extreme Pita is a fast-casual restaurant franchise offering pita wraps, salads, and Mediterranean-inspired meals, serving health-conscious guests and busy families, and known for customizable pitas, fresh ingredients, and lighter alternatives to traditional fast food, including catering.

Franchisees

?

1
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$192,000 - $513,000

Sub-Ology

Sub-Ology is a sandwich-and-fast-casual franchise offering premium subs, wraps, salads and soups made with Boar’s Head meats and locally baked bread, serving lunch and dinner diners, and known for gourmet ingredients and community-oriented atmosphere.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$285,000 - $443,000

Miller's Famous Sandwiches

Miller’s Famous Sandwiches is a fast-casual franchise offering toasted sandwiches, soups, salads and coffee, serving lunch crowds and grab-and-go customers, and known for iconic brand history, streamlined operations and community-friendly service.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$336,000 - $691,000

D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches

D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches is a fast-casual sandwich franchise offering grilled subs, soups, salads and coffee, serving lunch and dinner crowds, and known for flame-roasted flavour, fresh ingredients and community-based franchise experience.

Franchisees

?

22
+
-12%
-12%
Investment

?

$411,000 - $737,000

Submarina California Subs

Submarina California Subs is a submarine-sandwich franchise offering crafted subs with fresh, quality ingredients, serving take-out and delivery customers, and known for California-style flavor, strong franchise support, and award-winning menu.

Franchisees

?

10
+
-9%
-9%
Investment

?

$183,000 - $370,000

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