McAlister's Deli Rolls Out Community-Centric Concept

CARROLLWOOD, FL -- Atlanta-based McAlister's Deli is testing a new design intended to transform the restaurants into community gathering places while providing new, convenient services for family.

Brayton Knotts, who owns the McAlister's Delis at 14444 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Carrollwood and 4410 W. Boy Scout Blvd. in Westshore, said McAlister’s food, great service and community involvement goes hand in hand with what he believes makes a great restaurant.

After more than 20 years as a general manager for General Electric in Indiana, Knotts and his family migrated to Florida and opened Tampa’s first McAlister’s Deli in Westshore.

It proved so successful that Knotts opened his second deli in Carrollwood and has plans to open additional restaurants in Tampa Bay.

“McAlister's Deli encompasses everything I believe a restaurant should be – a community gathering place as well as a place that provides quality food and service,” said Knotts. “As we consider our options to expand, the prototype could be a potential and viable option for us in the future.”

Knotts, who grew up in the restaurant industry, said the prototype McAlister’s Deli encompasses everything his believes a restaurant should be – a community gathering place as well as a place that provides quality food and service.

Knotts and his team have a strong commitment to the community. They regularly make the meeting rooms at the restaurant available for local organizations to use and are active supporters of local high schools, first responders and teachers.

The new concept is intended to further develop McAlister’s into a natural community gathering place.

It will have an open look and feel, and will feature a community table that can seat large groups to encourage get-togethers and neighborhood connections.

There will also be a community-themed mural and photo wall highlighting neighborhood patrons and landmarks unique to each restaurant.

In addition to the look and feel of the restaurant, the brand is unveiling a new logo and employee uniforms to match.

McAlister's will also roll out sustainable packaging, along with fresh menu programming dedicated to kids and families.

"This is the first evolution for McAlister's since our brand opened its doors in Oxford, Mississippi, in 1989," said Joe Guith, president of McAlister's Deli. "Whether our guests are socializing while enjoying our signature hand-crafted food, or choosing us for their busy family's on-the-go meal experience, McAlister's brings to life a space that's truly part of the neighborhood and meets the needs of our guests."

The new design layout will provide:

· An on-the-go counter strategically placed at the front of the restaurant for easier pickup.

· A dedicated pickup window for on-the-go orders and catering pickup.

· A check-in touchscreen for the pickup window queue.

· The brand's iconic sweet tea will also be available at the front counter for improved guest engagement.

Additionally, McAlister’s will roll out a new kids and family program that includes:

· An easy-to-follow format with information presented at kids' eye-level to give them a chance to participate in the decision-making process.

· Affordable, hand-crafted items with better-for-you ingredients parents can feel good about.

McAlister's also will offer custom activity kits designed to create new, shared experiences that can extend mealtime together. Filled with games and thought starters that span several age ranges, these interactive kits can be enjoyed by the whole family.

McAlister's Deli is a fast, casual restaurant chain known for its hospitality, sandwiches, spuds, soups, salads, desserts and McAlister's famous sweet tea.

In addition to dine-in and take-out service, McAlister's also offers catering with a selection of sandwich trays, box lunches, desserts, a hot spud bar and more.

There are now 410 McAlister's in 29 states.

Images via McAlister's

(For more local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)