McAlister's Deli franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The McAlister's Deli franchise fee is $35,500 and the total initial investment ranges from $1,247,725 to $2,442,200, with about $310,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the McAlister's Deli FDD.
What are the McAlister's Deli franchise fees and investment?
The McAlister's Deli franchise requires a franchise fee of $35,500 and a total initial investment of $1,247,725 to $2,442,200. The franchise fee is one line inside the total investment, which also covers location, equipment, opening inventory and working capital.
| Franchise fee (FDD Item 5) | $35,500 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $1,247,725 to $2,442,200 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $310,000 |
| US locations | 560 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Sandwich Chains) |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Franchising since | 1994 |
How does the McAlister's Deli investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
McAlister's Deli's minimum investment of $1,247,725 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 87 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $35,500 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, McAlister's Deli belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the McAlister's Deli FDD?
Verify six parts of the McAlister's Deli Franchise Disclosure Document before you sign, because figures change with every annual FDD:
- Item 5 and Item 6: the current franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund and technology fees.
- Item 7: the full investment range by expense line, including working capital.
- Item 19: whether McAlister's Deli discloses financial performance data, and which units it covers.
- Item 20: openings, closures and transfers, plus contacts for current and former franchisees.
- Item 21: the franchisor's audited financial statements.
- Item 12: whether your territory is protected.
The full list of Items is in the FDD guide. You must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or pay any money.
Which franchises are similar to McAlister's Deli?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to McAlister's Deli:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Smashburger | $40,000 | $1,239,500 to $2,255,500 |
| Scotty's Brewhouse | $25,000 to $50,000 | $1,259,000 to $2,324,500 |
| Eggspectation | $50,000 | $1,260,000 to $1,785,000 |
| Hooters | $50,000 | $1,233,300 to $4,075,000 |
| La Madeleine | $40,000 | $1,230,360 to $2,254,160 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a McAlister's Deli franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a McAlister's Deli franchise ranges from $1,247,725 to $2,442,200, including a franchise fee of $35,500, according to franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. The exact amount depends on location, build-out and working capital, as shown in Item 7 of the FDD.
How much cash do you need to open a McAlister's Deli franchise?
McAlister's Deli lists a minimum of about $310,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many McAlister's Deli locations are there?
McAlister's Deli reported 560 US locations in the data compiled in October 2026. Item 20 of the FDD shows openings, closures and transfers for the last three years.
How long has McAlister's Deli been franchising?
McAlister's Deli started offering franchises in 1994 after the company was founded in 1989.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. McAlister's Deli and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by McAlister's Deli. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.