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<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

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