McAlister's Deli Wants To Open Locations In 14 Ohio Cities

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, OH — Over the next four years, McAlister's Deli plans to rapidly expand its presence in Northeast Ohio, bringing 14 locations to the region. The restaurant chain is specifically targeting the eastern and southern portions of Cuyahoga County.

McAlister's is a fast-casual restaurant chain known for its sandwiches, soups, salads and sweet tea. McAlister's currently has only one location in the Cleveland area, a stand-alone restaurant in North Olmsted.

The brand is being expanded in Ohio by Southern Rock Restaurants, a franchisee which also plans to open restaurants in Indiana, Tennessee and Georgia.

Southern Rock agreed to open 30 restaurants in an agreement with McAlister's — with 21 of those restaurants slated to debut in Ohio. According to a press release, Southern Rock will open 14 Greater Cleveland restaurants and seven Columbus-area restaurants. The openings will take place over four years, a spokesperson said.

"I acquired my first McAlister’s Deli restaurant more than eight years ago and knew instantly that my company would establish a terrific opportunity with the brand,” said David Blackburn, CEO of Southern Rock Restaurants.

A spokesperson for McAlister's Deli said the brand wants to open locations in the following locations over the next five years:

• Mentor,
• Willoughby/Eastlake,
• Beachwood,
• University Heights,
• Mayfield Heights,
• Independence,
• Fairlawn,
• North Canton,
• Macedonia,
• Cuyahoga Falls,
• Solon,
• Kent,
• Aurora, and
• Barberton