1851

<a href="https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/fl/jacksonville?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=mcalisters-looks-to-strengthen-foothold-in-florida-with-new-restaurants-in-jacksonville-2704518" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">McAlister&rsquo;s Deli</a> has long been one of the more successful fast-casual foodservice franchises in Florida, with restaurants throughout thirteen of the state&rsquo;s most populous markets. Not represented among those markets is the state&rsquo;s biggest city, Jacksonville, an omission <a href="https://mcalistersdeli.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=mcalisters-looks-to-strengthen-foothold-in-florida-with-new-restaurants-in-jacksonville-2704518" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">McAlister&rsquo;s</a> is currently seeking to remedy.

Paul Macaluso, president of McAlister&rsquo;s Deli, sees Jacksonville as a natural next step for the award-winning, fast-casual restaurant brand.

&ldquo;We like to grow out from our existing markets in concentric circles,&rdquo; said Macaluso. &ldquo;That way, we benefit from maximum brand awareness when we introduce stores to the new market. We&rsquo;ve found so much success throughout Florida, and now we want to leverage that momentum and make a huge entrance in Jacksonville.&rdquo;

In many ways, Jacksonville is the ideal market for the McAlister&rsquo;s concept, which pairs a wide variety of sandwiches, soups, and salads with fast-casual service. <a href="https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/fl/jacksonville?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=mcalisters-looks-to-strengthen-foothold-in-florida-with-new-restaurants-in-jacksonville-2704518" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jacksonville boasts a large working middle-class population,</a> which is McAlister&rsquo;s prime demographic. Office and service workers who are looking for reliable, affordable lunch options on a daily basis are likely to make a habit out of McAlister&rsquo;s Deli. And compared to similarly sized cities, Jacksonville residents are far more likely to drive to and from work, which means that diners are less interested in the get-in-get-out service popular in more densely populated, walking cities.

Jacksonville is also more diverse than the average American city, which gives McAlister&rsquo;s all-inclusive comfort-food concept an edge over more specialized brands in the segment.

&ldquo;We do sandwiches, baked potatoes, soups, sides, and amazing sweet tea,&rdquo; Macaluso said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s real, hand-crafted food; everyone loves this stuff.&rdquo;

As McAlister&rsquo;s prepares to continue expanding in Florida, the corporate team is focused on making sure all of the brand&rsquo;s new restaurants are well positioned for success.

&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;

Macaluso sees franchisee support as an essential element of McAlister&rsquo;s Deli&rsquo;s growth strategy.

&ldquo;Our franchisees are ultimately the driving force behind our successful expansion initiatives,&rdquo; said Macaluso. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s why our strong support system is such an integral part of our franchise system&mdash;we want our local owners to receive the best possible advantages in today&rsquo;s ever-evolving restaurant industry.&rdquo;

Macaluso is optimistic that McAlister&rsquo;s will find capable and qualified owners for the brand&rsquo;s Jacksonville restaurants.

&ldquo;Ultimately we&rsquo;re just looking for smart, ambitious people who have a passion for the brand,&rdquo; said Macaluso. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not like you need a special degree. Our processes have been fine-tuned and are easily applied. I know we&rsquo;re going to find a lot of great new owners, and I&rsquo;m excited to work with them.&rdquo;

Jacksonville Franchise, McAlister's Deli, Franchise Development

McAlister’s Looks to Strengthen Foothold in Florida with New Restaurants in Jacksonville

1851 Franchise

The fast-casual brand is seeking owners for new restaurants in Florida’s biggest city

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

mcalisters-looks-to-strengthen-foothold-in-florida-with-new-restaurants-in-jacksonville

Sola Salons

Removing Obstacles Through Listening-First Leadership: Daryl Hurst’s Approach at Sola Salons

daryl-hurst-sola-salons-leadership-journey

Paris Baguette Canada

Photo of exterior of a Paris Baguette location

How Much Can I Make as a Paris Baguette Franchisee?

paris-baguette-franchise-disclosure-document-analysis

Busy Bee Jumpers

Busy Bee Jumpers: Where Proven Success Meets People-First Franchising

busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-culture-success

busy-bee-jumpers-consumer-positioning-image-kids-jumping-bounce-house

Delivering Fun With a Smile: How Busy Bee Jumpers Earns 5-Star Raves From Families Across New England

busy-bee-jumpers-party-rentals

busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-positioning-image

Bouncing Into Business: How Busy Bee Jumpers Is Building the First National Bounce House Franchise

franchise-opportunity-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises

homebuyers-keep-buying-and-thats-good-news-for-home-service-franchises

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers - 1851 Franchise

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers

ai-unemployment-impact-white-collar-job-loss

How To Sell Just One Franchise: What You’ll Learn at FranCamp NJ 2025

how-to-sell-just-one-franchise-what-youll-learn-at-francamp-nj-2025

House Passes Tax Relief Package With Key Benefits for Small Businesses and Franchises

house-passes-small-business-tax-relief-bill-2025

McDonald’s To Hire 375,000 Workers as It Prepares for Major U.S. Expansion

mcdonalds-to-hire-375000-workers-as-it-prepares-for-major-us-expansion

franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Brianna and Matt Fitchett, Seniors Helping Seniors logo

Nonprofit Leaders to Bring Seniors Helping Seniors® Franchise to East Bay, California

nonprofit-leaders-to-bring-seniors-helping-seniors-franchise-to-east-bay-california

franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Abid Khan and Paris Baguette logo

Longtime Tim Horton’s Franchisee Signs 4-Unit Agreement with Paris Baguette in Toronto

longtime-tim-hortons-franchisee-signs-4-unit-agreement-with-paris-baguette-in-toronto

franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Melissa & Matt Johnson and Pigtails & Crewcuts logo

Building a Family-Friendly Business: How Melissa and Matt Johnson Grew Pigtails & Crewcuts in San Antonio

how-melissa-and-matt-johnson-grew-pigtails-crewcuts-in-san-antonio

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Sean Phelan & Caring Transitions logo

From Tech to Transitions: Why This Caring Transitions Franchisee Left the Corporate World To Help Families Navigate Life’s Hardest Moves

sean-phelan-caring-transitions-franchise-austin

How Car Sales Taught Buddy's Home Furnishings’ Mitchell Lee the Secrets of Franchise Development

how-car-sales-taught-buddys-home-furnishings-mitchell-lee-the-secrets-of-franchise-development

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

The Top 20 Handyman Franchises To Invest in for 2025

top-handyman-franchises-to-invest-in

The Top 20 Cleaning Franchises to Invest in for 2025

top-cleaning-franchises-to-invest-in

McAlister’s Looks to Strengthen Foothold in Florida with New Restaurants in Jacksonville

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS