QSR August 2022

QSR 50

California, Texas, Arizona, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and North and South Carolina. Checkers ended 2021 with 834 restaurants, a net loss of 13 stores. Of that total, approximately 570 units are QRGTCVGF D[ HTCPEJKUGGU ǭ

41 McAlister’s

McAlister’s, which saw $869 million in systemwide sales in 2021, believes it’s capable of reaching $1 billion by 2024. If the fast casual accomplishes this feat, it would become the first restaurant under the Focus Brands umbrella, which includes Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, Cin nabon, Jamba, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and Schlotzsky’s to do so. The brand crossed 500 domestic units last year. The pivotal 500th store was opened by McAli ster’s largest franchisee, David Blackburn of Southern Rock Restaurants. In October, the fast casual said it had a pipeline of more than 300 stores. The Saxton Group, a franchisee overseeing roughly 80 locations in the Mid west, signed a 32-unit deal. Sun Holdings, another major QRGTCVQT GZRGEVU VQ FGDWV QWVNGVU KP VJG PGZV UKZ [GCTU ǭ To make ordering easier for guests, McAlister’s launched tableside ordering in early 2021. The tech nology, active in more than 300 restaurants by October, allows guests to skip the line and order at their seat via the app. The Mexican fast casual is firmly in growth mode— a reality supported by its June announcement Jim Sullivan was joining as chief development officer. Sul livan previously held the role at CKE and clocked more than two decades in real estate, franchise develop ment, and site acquisition management. By February, QDOBA announced a multi-unit deal to bring 30 loca tions to Florida’s North Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties over the next decade. It marked the largest franchise agreement in brand history. QDOBA has its sights on 2,000 stores and inked 60 franchise commit ments in 2021. Sullivan said QDOBA plans to open more 42 QDOBA

40 Marco’s Pizza

McALISTER’S IS NOW OFFICIALLY A MEMBER OF THE 500-UNIT CLUB.

Marco’s Pizza is the sixth-largest pizza chain in the country in terms of footprint, but the fast-food chain is looking to change that in the coming years. More than 200 restaurants are in development, and the goal is to eclipse 1,500 by 2023 and 2,000 by 2026. In March, the company revealed a 46-unit agreement to grow in the Phoenix area over the next six years. Those units will be opened by area representative and franchisee Rob GTV 2KPC YJQ LQKPGF VJG /CTEQũU U[UVGO [GCTU CIQ ǭ To further simplify the expansion process for fran chisees, the pizza chain announced in April that it implemented enhancements to its financing, growth incentives, real estate, design, and construction sup RQTV U[UVGOU ǭ The brand earned $899 million in systemwide sales in 2021, but this year, the chain is projected to surpass $1 billion and open more than 150 restaurants alongside OWNVK WPKV QRGTCVQTU ǭ From a consumer perspective, Marco’s is working VJTQWIJ C RKNQV QH XQKEG VQ VGZV QTFGTKPI YKVJǭJQRGU of launching the technology systemwide by the end of 2022. The speech-enabled application uses conver sational artificial intelligence ( ƥƭ ), which yielded 100 percent order accuracy in initial beta testing as well as increased employee and customer satisfaction.

QDOBA RECENTLY STRUCK ITS LARGEST FRANCHISE DEAL IN BRAND HISTORY.

MARCO’S PIZZA (2), McALISTER’S, QDOBA

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AUGUST 2022 | QSR | www.qsrmagazine.com