McAlister’s Deli gets a new president

mcalisters deli exterior

Rick Altizer will take over as president of McAlister’s Deli, filling the position vacated by last month’s departure of then-president Carin Stutz

Altizer comes to the fast casual from business consulting firm Rightwell Growth, and has spent more than three decades in marketing and operations leadership roles, including as an area vice president and general manager at McDonald’s and CEO of better-burger chain Elevation Burger, according to McAlister’s parent company, Focus Brands.

“[Altizer] is an accomplished executive who has a strong track record for leading high-performance teams and transforming businesses into high-growth franchises,” Paul Damico, president of Focus Brands’ North American division, said in a statement. “He will draw on his extensive experience in the franchise business to continue to drive McAlister’s innovation and success.”

Stutz had served as president of McAlister’s for less than a year and a half when she left to lead operations of the Red Robin burger chain

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