Apple PayApple
losure Document 03 27 26 v1 40 1627722034.2 We require you to accept major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover) and other major payment methods (such as Apple Pay and Google
From the filings
+1.718% units YoYHQ + multi-unit
McAlister's Deli
Quick service restaurantMcAlister's Deli's 2026 FDD requires every restaurant to run a POS System from a designated Approved Supplier and a Learning Management System delivered on a dedicated tablet. With 572 total units and franchised outlets up 1.718% year over year, technology decisions run through GoTo Foods' multi-brand structure and its named executive team.
For software vendors selling into US franchise brands.
Live signals
Total units
572
533 franchised
Unit growth YoY
+1.718%
vs prior filing
AUV
$2.75M
Item 19, 2026
Royalty
5%
of gross sales
Ad fund
2%
national + local
Initial fee
$36K
per unit
Investment range
$900K–$2.61M
all-in, Item 7
Procurement
Approved supplier
from the filing
Item 19
Claims
from the filing
Ongoing fee load
What the operator pays every month
The recurring percentage of gross sales named in this filing, before rent, labour or any technology fee.
7%of gross sales (FY2026)
15% reference
Mandated & recommended tech
The systems vendors compete with
Systems named in Item 11 of this filing. None is recorded as mandated here, which is not the same as the filing mandating nothing. Read Item 11 before treating the category as open.
DoorDashDoorDash
ding delivery fees and other service charges, that are paid to you by a customer or by a third-party delivery or catering service (e.g., Uber Eats, Postmates, Grubhub, ezCater, or DoorDash) (a “TPS”)
ezCaterezCater
including delivery fees and other service charges, that are paid to you by a customer or by a third-party delivery or catering service (e.g., Uber Eats, Postmates, Grubhub, ezCater, or DoorDash) (a “T
FacebookMeta
, photographs, give-away items, and gift cards. Digital Marketing. We or our affiliates, in our sole discretion, may establish and operate websites, social media accounts (such as Facebook, X, Instagr
Google PayGoogle
t 03 27 26 v1 40 1627722034.2 We require you to accept major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover) and other major payment methods (such as Apple Pay and Google Pay) for cust
GrubhubGrubhub
including delivery fees and other service charges, that are paid to you by a customer or by a third-party delivery or catering service (e.g., Uber Eats, Postmates, Grubhub, ezCater, or DoorDash) (a “T
InstagramMeta
, give-away items, and gift cards. Digital Marketing. We or our affiliates, in our sole discretion, may establish and operate websites, social media accounts (such as Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest
PinterestPinterest
items, and gift cards. Digital Marketing. We or our affiliates, in our sole discretion, may establish and operate websites, social media accounts (such as Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat,
PostmatesUber
ancillary charges or fees, including delivery fees and other service charges, that are paid to you by a customer or by a third-party delivery or catering service (e.g., Uber Eats, Postmates, Grubhub,
SnapchatSnapchat
gift cards. Digital Marketing. We or our affiliates, in our sole discretion, may establish and operate websites, social media accounts (such as Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, YouTube, Ti
TikTokTikTok
l Marketing. We or our affiliates, in our sole discretion, may establish and operate websites, social media accounts (such as Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, YouTube, TikTok, etc.), appli
Uber EatsUber
nclude all ancillary charges or fees, including delivery fees and other service charges, that are paid to you by a customer or by a third-party delivery or catering service (e.g., Uber Eats, Postmates
YouTubeGoogle
s. Digital Marketing. We or our affiliates, in our sole discretion, may establish and operate websites, social media accounts (such as Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, YouTube, TikTok, etc
Franchisor behaviours
What the franchisor requires
29 requirements the franchisor states in this filing, each in its own words; 1 explicit no; 4 questions the text does not settle, which is not a no.
Accounting
Does the franchisor have direct or independent electronic access to the franchisee's financial, sales or customer records?
YesFranchise agreement
In addition, we and our affiliates, through the Computer System or otherwise, have the right to independently access the Customer Information.
Must the franchisee submit periodic financial statements (monthly, quarterly or annual) to the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
On or before February 1st of each year (or such other date specified by us in the Manuals or otherwise in writing, which may be by email or other electronic communications), you must furnish to us a statement of the profit and loss of the Franchised McAlister’s Franchise Agreement 03 27 26 v1 34 1627722135.2 Business…
How the franchisor buys
Is there a franchisee advisory council, association or committee?
YesItem 11
Currently, the FAC is composed of representatives of the largest franchisees, as well as franchisees in good standing who are nominated and elected by other McAlister’s Deli Franchise Disclosure Document 03 27 26 v1 50 1627722034.2 franchisees, and franchisees or other representatives who may be appointed by us.
Does the franchisor reserve the right to change designated suppliers or systems at any time?
YesItem 8
We may add or change Approved Suppliers at any time.
Does the franchisor or an affiliate receive rebates, commissions or other revenue from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 8
We and our affiliates may receive payments based on your purchases and leases, including, without limitation, from charging you for Goods we or our affiliates provide to you and from promotional allowances, volume discounts, and other payments made to us by Suppliers, distributors, or third parties.
Item 8 gives this proportion in one of two shapes: separate percentages for establishing the business and for operating it, or one figure covering "establishing and operating" together. Where they are separate, answer with the operating percentage; where the passage gives only the combined figure, answer with that. What percentage of the franchisee's purchases must come from designated or approved suppliers?
85Item 8
Currently, we estimate that your purchases from Approved Suppliers and otherwise under our Standards will be about 80% of the total purchases and lease of products and services needed to establish the Restaurant and about 85% of the total purchases and leases of products and services needed to operate a Restaurant.
Does the franchisor charge a fee to evaluate a proposed supplier?
YesItem 8
You must pay us a charge not to exceed the reasonable cost of the inspection and our actual cost of testing the proposed Goods or evaluating the proposed Supplier, including personnel and travel costs, whether or not the Goods or Supplier is approved.
Can a franchisee propose a new supplier for the franchisor's approval?
YesItem 8
If you would like to offer products or use any Goods that we have not approved or to purchase or lease from a Supplier that we have not approved, you must submit a written request for approval and provide us with any information that we request.
Communications
Does the franchisor own or control the business telephone numbers, or take them over when the agreement ends?
YesFranchise agreement
You acknowledge that as between you and us, we have the sole rights to and interest in all Identifiers.
Data and IT
Must the franchisee comply with PCI, data-security or cybersecurity standards set by the franchisor?
YesItem 1
You must ensure that your computerized point-of-sale system (the “POS System”) or your credit card processing terminals (whichever are responsible for processing credit card transactions) are in compliance with the most current Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (“PCI-DSS”).
Franchise management
Must the franchisee participate in a customer-satisfaction or net-promoter survey program?
YesFranchise agreement
We also may require you to participate in customer satisfaction surveys or other audit programs, including electronically through the use of telecommunications devices or otherwise, to assess your compliance with our customer service standards.
Does the franchisor conduct periodic inspections, audits or evaluations of the franchised business?
YesFranchise agreement
We or any of our authorized agents may at any time during normal business hours (including pre-opening and post-closing) enter the Franchised Business or any other place where business related to the Franchised Business is conducted and: (i) conduct an operational audit to determine your material compliance, as we…
Can the franchisor change the operations manual and brand standards unilaterally?
YesFranchise agreement
We may make additions to, deletions from, and modifications to the Manuals (“Supplements”), Standards, or System from time to time in any form or fashion
Must the franchisor approve the franchisee's site or location before opening?
YesItem 11
You may not acquire the Accepted Location until we have accepted it.
Marketing
Is the franchisee prohibited from operating its own website or social media accounts, or required to use pages the franchisor provides?
YesItem 11
Unless we consent otherwise in writing, you may not, directly or indirectly, conduct or be involved in any Digital Marketing that use the Proprietary Marks or that relate to the Restaurant.
Is a minimum grand opening advertising spend required?
YesItem 11
You must spend the Grand Opening Obligation (at least $25,000) on grand opening advertising promoting the opening of your Restaurant during the period beginning 90 days before (including advanced purchases during that period) you open the Restaurant and ending 90 days after you open the Restaurant.
Is the franchisee required to spend a minimum amount on local advertising or marketing, as a percentage of sales or a fixed amount?
YesItem 11
To satisfy your Local Marketing Obligation, each calendar quarter, you must spend on local market advertising at least 0.75% of the Net Sales of your Restaurant.
Must the franchisee participate in a customer loyalty or rewards program?
YesItem 16
You must participate in the Gift Card and Loyalty Programs that we establish, and you must have available for sale to customers a sufficient number of gift cards to meet the demands of your Restaurant.
Must the franchisee participate in a regional advertising cooperative when one exists?
YesItem 11
You are required to participate in any local, regional, or national cooperative advertising group consisting of other Restaurants (an “Advertising Cooperative”) that we specify.
Operations
Must the franchisee buy products from a designated distributor?
YesFranchise agreement
You must purchase all of your requirements of Proprietary Ingredients, Proprietary Products, and proprietary uniforms, signs, menu boards, smallwares, materials, supplies, paper goods, equipment, and packaging (collectively, the “Proprietary Goods”) from us, our affiliates, or our designated Approved Suppliers.
Must equipment be purchased from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 8
You must purchase these items only from an Approved Supplier, unless we specify otherwise.
Payments
Must the franchisee use a payment processor or merchant-services provider designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 8
We also require you to use designated Approved Suppliers for point-to-point encryption (“P2PE”) solutions (hardware and software) that are used in cooperation with your POS System to provide secure and compliant payment processing services.
Are royalties and other fees collected by automatic bank debit (ACH or electronic funds transfer) from the franchisee's account?
YesItem 6
We reserve the right to collect all fees due to us under the Franchise Agreement through EFT.
Must the franchisee participate in a gift card program?
YesItem 16
You must participate in the Gift Card and Loyalty Programs that we establish, and you must have available for sale to customers a sufficient number of gift cards to meet the demands of your Restaurant.
People
Does the franchisor require minimum staffing levels or specific roles?
YesFranchise agreement
Your Franchised Business must employ at least two Managers who have successfully completed the Management Training Program and are dedicated to the Franchised Business.
Point of sale
Must the franchisee use a specific point-of-sale system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 11
To maintain a consistent reporting system, you must purchase or lease and use a POS System specified by us from a designated Approved Supplier.
Does the franchisor have independent access to the data in the franchisee's POS or computer system?
YesItem 11
We will have independent electronic and manual access to certain information within the POS System and there are no contractual limitations on our right to access this information.
Training
Can the franchisor charge the franchisee for additional, refresher or remedial training?
YesItem 11
We may charge a reasonable fee (which we expect typically to range from $0 to $2,500) for these additional programs to cover our costs of providing them.
Is attendance at an annual convention or conference mandatory for the franchisee?
YesItem 11
Your Primary Contact, Managers, Owners, and supervisory personnel must attend any conferences, conventions, programs, or additional or refresher training sessions that we specify.
The filing answers no to 1 question
- Is the franchisor or an affiliate itself a supplier of required products, services or systems?Item 8
Who buys here
The buyer at this brand
The decision-maker a vendor sells to at this scale, and the gaps they’re paid to close, derived from our data by segment and unit count, not a guess.
HQ committee: CEO/President + VP Ops + IT/CIO + Franchise + procurement involved.
VP SalesHead of SalesCROSales Director
- 41.9% of quick service brands mandate no POS system, leaving a massive blind spot in your target list.By instantly identifying the 452 brands with no POS mandate, you replace weeks of manual FDD research and focus your pipeline on high-fit displacement targets, cutting customer acquisition cost by over 60%.
- 82.3% of brands mandate no accounting system, signaling a wide-open market for tech vendors.FranCloud surfaces the 888 brands without an accounting mandate so your team can prioritize outreach before competitors even know they exist, turning a manual research cost center into a predictable revenue engine.
- Only 17 out of 1,079 quick service brands mandate a CRM, yet unit counts and AUVs prove these are high-value accounts.Instead of spending 40+ hours manually combing FDDs to find CRM-needy brands, FranCloud delivers the 17 mandate-holders and their financials in one query, letting your team close deals 10x faster.
The vendor opportunity at McAlister's Deli
McAlister's Deli runs 572 quick-service units — 533 franchised and 39 company-owned — per its 2026 FDD, with franchised outlets up 1.718% year over year. The Item 19 figure for the 477 of 505 Traditional Franchises (94.5%) that reported sales across all 52 weeks of fiscal 2025 averaged $1,868,219, on a 5.0% royalty. McAlister's sits inside GoTo Foods' multi-brand portfolio alongside Cinnabon, Auntie Anne's, Jamba, Carvel, Moe's Southwest Grill and Schlotzsky's — a platform where one relationship can extend across sibling brands.
Who controls software purchasing
The FDD names CEO Omer Gajial, CFO/Treasurer Brett Ubl, Chief Brand Officer Danielle Parra, SVP of Franchise Administration Tim Goodman and SVP of Real Estate Chris Newman. GoTo Foods Systems received $1,956,223 in Approved Supplier payments tied to purchases by McAlister's and other GoTo Foods Portfolio franchisees in fiscal 2025, and the operator base includes real multi-unit scale: 130 mapped operators run roughly 560 locations, with 36 multi-unit operators, including 4 running 25 or more units, concentrated in Texas (112), Indiana (48), Illinois (42), Missouri (35) and Tennessee (34).
Tech named in the FDD, and what is actually required
Item 11 requires every restaurant to install a computerized restaurant management system meeting McAlister's Standards, use a POS System purchased from a designated Approved Supplier, sign a POS System Support Services Agreement, and buy P2PE payment-security hardware and software from designated Approved Suppliers, with a kitchen display system and a dedicated high-speed broadband connection. Franchisees must also purchase a dedicated iPad or Windows tablet for the Learning Management System, currently a $210-per-year annual license, accept Apple Pay and Google Pay alongside major credit cards, and participate in gift-card, loyalty and online-ordering programs. The FDD names Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest without stating whether each is required.
Procurement, renewals, and timing
Item 8 requires Proprietary Ingredients, Proprietary Products, proprietary uniforms, signs and menu boards to come from McAlister's, its affiliates or designated Approved Suppliers; franchisees may propose alternate suppliers for approval. Item 17 of the FDD sets the specific renewal conditions and windows — see the filing below for the full terms.
How to read the McAlister's Deli FDD
The embedded PDF viewer below holds the complete 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document for McAlister's Deli.
Talk to FranCloud for a ranked list of quick-service systems inside multi-brand platforms like GoTo Foods.
Questions vendors ask
McAlister's Deli, answered from the filing
McAlister's Deli names CEO Omer Gajial and CFO Brett Ubl in its 2026 FDD. As part of GoTo Foods' multi-brand portfolio, mandates like the POS System and Learning Management System are set by the franchisor and sourced from designated Approved Suppliers, not chosen by individual restaurants.
The FDD requires every restaurant to install a computerized management system meeting McAlister's Standards, a POS System from a designated Approved Supplier, P2PE payment-security hardware and software, and a dedicated iPad or Windows tablet for the Learning Management System. The FDD names Apple Pay, Facebook, Google Pay, Instagram and Pinterest.
McAlister's Deli runs 572 quick-service units — 533 franchised and 39 company-owned — with franchised outlets up 1.718% year over year per the 2026 FDD.
Item 8 sets an approved-supplier-list model: proprietary ingredients, products, uniforms, signs and menu boards must come from McAlister's, its affiliates or designated Approved Suppliers, though franchisees may propose a supplier for approval.
Item 17 of the FDD sets the specific renewal conditions and windows for McAlister's Deli — see the filing below for the full terms. Franchised-outlet growth of 1.718% year over year points to steady new-restaurant POS and LMS rollouts in the meantime.
The embedded PDF viewer below holds McAlister's Deli's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document in full.
Source
Read the filing itself
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Operator footprint
Who runs the locations
130 operators run 560 mapped locations. 36 of them are multi-unit. Aggregate counts from the filing; no names.
Operators by units owned
Single-unit94
2–9 units29
25+ units4
10–24 units3
Top states by locations
| TX | 112 |
|---|---|
| IN | 48 |
| IL | 42 |
| MO | 35 |
| TN | 34 |
Ownership
The portfolio behind McAlister's Deli
strategic_multibrand of GoTo Foods.
Sibling brands
Related Quick service restaurant brands
Primary franchise filings · updated September 2026. Every figure is source-traceable and QA-checked.