McAlister's Deli, a leading fast casual chain, announced today it has signed three development agreements with new and existing franchisees to open restaurants in Southern Georgia and North, Central and Southwest Florida. 

Existing franchisee DMAC 81, LLC, based in Summerville, S.C., plan to open several new restaurants between southern Georgia and North Florida. The franchise group currently operates several McAlister's locations across South Carolina, Florida and Georgia. McAlister's also signed development agreements with two new franchise groups to open restaurants on the west coast of Florida between Naples and Sarasota, as well as in Orlando. 

"With these three groups, we have the opportunity to bring McAlister's to untouched markets in Florida like Sarasota, Naples and Orlando, as well as expanding into southern Georgia," said Jeff Sturgis, McAlister's Vice President of Franchise Development. "We couldn't be happier to continue our development in the south with three stellar franchisee groups."

New franchisees Christina Berry, Mark Graff and Jeff Paulsen bring to McAlister's their extensive experience in multi-unit restaurant management with Steak n Shake, as well as a background in commercial and residential property development. Their franchise group, Good Eats Florida, is targeting development in the Orlando market in communities such as Clermont, Celebration, Winter Garden, MetroWest, Dr. Phillips, Lake Nona and Kissimmee.

"We are very excited to bring the McAlister's award-winning, fast casual dining concept to Orlando," said Berry, co-owner of Good Eats. "We are confident the diverse menu, comfortable dining environment and genuine hospitality that is so strongly associated with the McAlister's brand will resonate with Orlando's fast-growing population."

In Southwest Florida, the new franchisees have a proven track record as successful Five Guys franchisees and are targeting development in Naples, Fort Myers and Sarasota.

Technomic has recognized McAlister's twice in its Consumers' Choice Awards for Chain Restaurants — in 2015 as top fast casual chain for pleasant, friendly service and in 2014 as the top kid-friendly fast casual chain. Franchise Business Review named McAlister's one of its "Best Franchise Opportunities for 2015" in its Franchisee Satisfaction Awards, as well as a "Top Franchise" in 2014 based on franchisee satisfaction. In 2015, McAlister's tied for No. 12 in a ranking of limited-service chains in Nation's Restaurant News' Consumer Picks Survey. In 2014, QSR Magazine recognized the brand as one of the "Best Franchise Deals" and named McAlister's to its QSR 50 list, ranking 13th for U.S. average sales per unit in 2013. FastCasual.com also recognized the brand on its "Top 100 Movers and Shakers" list of 2014.