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<a href="https://www.mcalistersdelifranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=mcalisters-deli-finds-enthusiastic-customer-base-on-college-campuses-2705151" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">McAlister&rsquo;s Deli&reg;</a> has found success in a diverse set of markets and venues. With over 400 restaurants throughout 28 states, the fast-casual brand has proven viable among a range of demographics. In recent years, one venue has proven particularly lucrative: college campuses.

Paul Macaluso, President of <a href="https://mcalistersdeli.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=mcalisters-deli-finds-enthusiastic-customer-base-on-college-campuses-2705151" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">McAlister&rsquo;s Deli</a>, said that the franchise&rsquo;s high-quality, affordable deli fare is a big draw for college students.

&ldquo;McAlister&rsquo;s has a unique menu with a ton of attractive options, and those are options that tend to be familiar and comforting to college students,&rdquo; said Macaluso. &ldquo;Sandwiches, loaded baked potatoes, sweet tea, soups&mdash;all really satisfying, hearty foods that college students crave and can&rsquo;t find at most of the other affordable, quick-service restaurants.&rdquo;

The quick-service segment has always found a strong customer base in college students, who, as a demographic, are less likely to patronize more expensive full-service restaurants or cook for themselves. But as American consumers become increasingly health-conscious, many quick-service restaurants are falling out of favor, putting more wholesome options like McAlister&rsquo;s in a unique position to capture consumers who are avoiding other corners of the segment.

Macaluso said that McAlister&rsquo;s commitment to high-quality ingredients has recently become a major selling point for the franchise, particularly for their restaurants on or near college campuses.

&ldquo;People are turning away from greasy, fried food, and they are looking for fresh, wholesome options,&rdquo; said Macaluso. &ldquo;That has made McAlister&rsquo;s more popular than ever before. We&rsquo;ve got amazing salads and hearty sandwiches, all handmade with fresh, high-quality ingredients.&rdquo;

It&rsquo;s not just students that have made McAlister&rsquo;s campus locations so successful. Macaluso notes that visiting families are a sizable and lucrative demographic in their own right.

&ldquo;Visiting families are not just a seasonal demo. Between sports and academic events, holidays, and seasonal breaks, some campus locations see a nearly year-round circulation of families visiting students. McAlister&rsquo;s has locations in 28 states, so a lot of families become familiar with the brand, and they opt for that familiarity. Visitors are also looking for comfort food, something that&rsquo;s going to be a safe bet for their entire family, and that&rsquo;s one of McAlister&rsquo;s biggest selling points.&rdquo;

That persistent influx of customers can pose a challenge rather than a benefit for independent businesses, but McAlister&rsquo;s owners are buoyed by a dedicated support team in the brand&rsquo;s corporate office.

&ldquo;On the corporate level, everything that we do is designed to set our franchisees up for success,&rdquo; said Macaluso. &ldquo;Between guiding them through the grand opening process and making ourselves accessible to lend a helping hand whenever needed, our top priority is ensuring that the McAlister&rsquo;s model is working in every market it calls home. By helping our franchisees reach their full potential, whether they&rsquo;re single or multi-unit operators, we&rsquo;re helping position the McAlister&rsquo;s brand for continued growth in the long run.&rdquo;

As McAlister&rsquo;s continues to expand its footprint, the development team is finding that many of their most enthusiastic franchisee prospects were introduced to the brand in college.

&ldquo;Because McAlister&rsquo;s has such a strong value proposition for college students, we&rsquo;ve found that a lot of people who had McAlister&rsquo;s around when they were in college feel a real bond with the brand,&rdquo; Macaluso said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s comforting, even a little nostalgic. So when these people are looking to open a restaurant, McAlister&rsquo;s immediately jumps to mind, and they want to share that with new college students.&nbsp;

McAlister&rsquo;s is preparing to take full advantage of their success in college markets by opening new locations on or near college campuses throughout the country.

&ldquo;We&rsquo;re excited to make McAlister&rsquo;s a staple of college markets across the country,&rdquo; said Macaluso. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve found great franchisees in every market we&rsquo;ve entered, and I don&rsquo;t see any reason why we won&rsquo;t continue to find strong partners around college campuses. Our operational model has been fine-tuned and is easily applied. Ultimately, we are just looking for smart, ambitious people who have a passion for the brand. This is an exciting time for McAlister&rsquo;s, and I&rsquo;m eager to find great new owners to help us grow.&quot;

McAlister’s Deli® Finds Enthusiastic Customer Base on College Campuses

1851 Franchise

The not-just-a-deli concept has proven a big hit among college students

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