McAlister's Deli®, a leading fast casual chain, announced today it signed a development agreement to open three restaurants in Southern Mississippi with franchisee Kingdom Foods, LLC, including a location in the Legacy Plaza in Wiggins, Miss.
Jason Langnes, Owner and President of Kingdom Foods, LLC, has been a McAlister's franchisee for 10 years and previously owned and operated three locations in Houston. Langnes and his wife, both alumni of the University of Southern Mississippi, decided to move their lives and business back home to Hattiesburg where they first met each other — and McAlister's.
"I first went to a McAlister's in Hattiesburg in the early 1990s. From then on, I was hooked," Langnes said. "I like being an owner of McAlister's because I believe in and love the concept. I like the people, not only the corporate team at McAlister's restaurant support center, but also our guests. I like providing the genuine hospitality we're known for to each individual person."
Langnes' Houston restaurants have been acquired by McAlister's franchisee Southwest Concepts, LLC, which signed a development agreement last year to open an additional 10 restaurants in the Houston market. As part of the 10-unit deal, Southwest Concepts, LLC recently signed a lease to open a McAlister's location in Spring, Texas, at 19380 I-45, Suite 100.
"A significant piece of McAlister's growth can be attributed to existing franchisees, which tells us that, as a brand, we are doing something right," said Jeff Sturgis, McAlister's Vice President of Franchise Development. "Jason has been a successful franchisee for 10 years and we're thrilled that Southwest Concepts, which joined the brand late last year, already has shown immense passion for McAlister's and helping us grow."
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, Nation's Restaurant News named McAlister's the No.12 limited-service chain in its Consumer Picks Survey. FastCasual.com also recognized the brand on its "Top 100 Movers and Shakers" list of 2015. This year, QSR Magazine recognized the brand as one of the "Best Franchise Deals" and last year named McAlister's to its QSR 50 list, ranking 13th for U.S. average sales per unit in 2013.
