McAlister's Deli's Slogans & Taglines

McAlister's Deli is an American chain of fast casual restaurants founded in 1989 by retired dentist Dr. Don Newcomb in Oxford, Mississippi. The original location was a converted 1950s gas station that had served as a movie set for the 1989 film Heart of Dixie, which Newcomb purchased to realise his vision of a neighbourhood gathering place serving homestyle meals. The brand quickly gained recognition for its handcrafted sandwiches, signature "giant spuds" (baked potatoes), fresh salads, soups, and desserts, alongside its legendary McAlister's Famous Sweet Tea—available by the glass or gallon. By 1994, Newcomb began expanding through franchising, and in 1999 he sold the company to CEO Michael Stack and executive Philip Friedman. The brand was acquired by Roark Capital Group through its subsidiary Focus Brands in 2005. Core offerings today encompass dine-in, takeout, catering, and online ordering, with a menu featuring hot and cold deli sandwiches, spuds, handcrafted salads, and desserts. Brand messaging is anchored by the official slogan Great food brings us together, reflecting the brand's commitment to genuine Southern hospitality and community connection. Today, McAlister's Deli operates over 550 restaurants across more than 30 states, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and has been recognised as the #1 Fast Casual Chain by Newsweek and ranked in Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500.