McAlister’s Deli Unveil Restaurant Redesign To Customers

Franchise Wire:

At the beginning of July, McAlister’s Deli unveiled a fresh, new interior and exterior redesign of one of its original restaurants in Ridgeland, Miss., that Chief Development and Administrative Officer Patrick Walls said represents an exciting “evolution�? for the franchisor of 201 fast-casual restaurants.

The redesign is expected to be incorporated into the construction of new McAlister’s Deli restaurants beginning in 2007, when the chain is also expected to begin converting its existing locations to the new design, a process that is expected to take three to five years.

Besides the 160-seat, company-owned restaurant in Ridgeland – home of McAlister’s Deli corporate headquarters – one additional company-operated restaurant in Madison, Miss., and two to three franchised restaurants in locations yet to be determined, are expected to adopt the new design in 2006.

The redesign incorporates several exterior modifications and almost a complete revamping of the restaurant’s interior spaces. Except for a minor exterior revision in 1999, the changes represent the chain’s first major redesign since its first restaurant opened in 1989. The conversion of the Ridgeland, Miss., restaurant took a little more than two weeks.

“We are past the 200-restaurant mark and we felt it was time to introduce the next generation of design for McAlister’s Deli,�? Walls said. “We feel we have updated McAlister’s Deli to make it more comfortable and contemporary. We believe people will find it to be a very warm and inviting space.�?

McAlister’s Deli enlisted Louis & Partners Design, a Bath, Ohio firm whose restaurant design clients include such well-known chains as Bob Evans, Carl’s Jr., Sizzler and IHOP.