Mankato, Minn. – Focus Brands®, the parent company of Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, McAlister’s Deli®, Moe’s Southwest Grill®, and Schlotzsky’s®, today announces the debut of McAlister’s Deli in Minnesota with a 10-unit franchise agreement, alongside a tri-brand franchise agreement that will bring Auntie Anne’s, Cinnabon, and Jamba to Mankato.

Behind the signings are seasoned restaurateurs and husband-wife team, Steve and Dani Wegman. The duo owns multiple food concepts around the greater Mankato area including 507, Weggy’s, Krusty’s Donut Shop, The Wagon Wheel, and more. Looking to grow and diversify their portfolio, they turned to Focus Brands as a company with iconic and industry-leading concepts. Impressed with the streamlined operations, in-house real estate support, technology tools, in-house supply chain with national partners, multiple revenue streams, and attractive unit-level economics, they committed to growing several iconic concepts from Focus Brands across Minnesota.

“After visiting another restaurant development group’s McAlister’s Deli location in Grimes, IA, I knew we had an immense opportunity to bring this concept to Minnesota,” said Steve Wegman. “The menu features something for everyone while the genuine hospitality fits well with the Minnesota culture we’re accustomed to. This is a real gathering place for people to linger and enjoy food that’s simple, yet elevated, using the finest ingredients.”

Ready to introduce McAlister’s Deli in the state of Minnesota, the Wegmans are set to open their first location at 1860 Adams Street in Mankato in early 2024. Target markets for additional locations include Albert Lea, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Faribault, New Ulm, Northfield, Owatonna, and Rochester, among others. All 10 restaurants are projected to be open and operating over the next five years.

“These development efforts contribute to the incredible growth and momentum of the McAlister’s Deli brand,” said Mike Freeman, McAlister’s Deli Chief Brand Officer. “Opening in Minnesota is a significant milestone for the brand as we continue to grow in the North and expand West with reason and purpose, sustainably.”

The tri-brand Auntie Anne’s, Cinnabon, and Jamba location is expected to debut in Mankato at 1600 Warren Street, across from the Minnesota State University campus, in early 2024.

“We’ve seen immense success with several of our other concepts on or near the U of M Mankato Campus, and have full confidence this tri-brand location will follow suit,” said Dani Wegman. “Not only will we be able to employ college students, but they’re also our primary customer. The key benefit of this tri-brand location is convenience. Having these brands together in one location makes them far more accessible than they are individually and leads to an expansive menu with something for everyone.” 

Key to the company’s growth strategy has been its transformation into a platform company. Finding portfolio-wide synergies and cost savings adds more fuel to the company’s individual brands. In 2023, Focus Brands has prioritized the ‘Power of the Portfolio,’ harmonizing across brands to create efficiencies, shared resources, menu diversity, and more – in turn, driving long-term results.

Focus Brands’ achievements have not gone unnoticed, earning multiple awards and recognition, including all seven brands ranking on Entrepreneur’s 2023 Franchise 500® in addition to Nation’s Restaurant News Top 500 list.

The Focus Brands portfolio brands offer compelling opportunities for franchisees looking to sign franchise agreements. Visit development.focusbrands.com to learn more about how you can join one of our seven amazing brands.

About Focus Brands
Atlanta-based Focus Brands® is a leading developer of global multi-channel foodservice brands. As of June 25, 2023, Focus Brands, through its affiliate brands, is the franchisor and operator of more than 6,600 restaurants, cafes, ice cream shoppes, and bakeries in all 50 states and over 60 countries and territories under the Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, Moe’s Southwest Grill®, McAlister’s Deli®, and Schlotzsky’s® brand names, as well as the Seattle’s Best Coffee® brand on certain military bases and in certain international markets. Please visit www.focusbrands.com to learn more.

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