RIDGELAND Miss. Fast-casual sandwich chain McAlister’s Deli said it has appointed Bill McClintock to the newly created position of senior vice president of development. His first official duty for the nearly 300-unit chain will be developing an expansion plan that recruits experienced multiunit operators in new markets, McAlister’s officials said.
“Other concepts may be shying away from growth right now, but I think now is a great time to grow a quick-casual brand like McAlister’s,” McClintock said. “Landlords are more willing to negotiate leases for national tenants. McAlister’s can use this opportunity to introduce its great food offerings to more communities than ever before.”
McClintock has more than 23 years of experience overseeing franchise growth for restaurants, serving most recently as vice president of franchise sales and development for Buffalo Wild Wings. During his time at the Minneapolis-based chicken wing chain, he sold more than 120 franchise development agreements, which grew Buffalo Wild Wings from about 50 units in 1997 to more than 500 locations today. McClintock also had held similar positions with Panchero’s Mexican Grill, Discovery Zone, FutureKids and Pay N Play Recreational Systems.
“We’re back in the development game with a real star,” said Phil Friedman, McAlister’s president and chief executive, “and I have no doubt that Bill will play an integral role in McAlister’s well into the future.”