ATLANTA — In a strategic move designed to accelerate the momentum of its sandwich and deli portfolio, GoTo Foods (formerly known as Focus Brands) has announced the appointment of Brandon Coleman as the new President of McAlister’s Deli and Deli Brands. Effective November 2, 2026, Coleman takes the helm of two of the industry’s most recognizable fast-casual names—McAlister’s Deli and Schlotzsky’s Deli—at a pivotal moment of expansion and brand evolution.
Coleman, who most recently served as CEO of Cotton Patch Cafe, brings a reputation for driving exponential growth and operational efficiency. His appointment follows a period of record-breaking performance for McAlister’s Deli, which recently surpassed the $1 billion annual sales milestone, and a comprehensive rebranding initiative for Schlotzsky’s.
Main Facts: A New Leadership Chapter for GoTo Foods
The transition comes as GoTo Foods seeks to solidify its dominance in the competitive fast-casual deli segment. As President of McAlister’s Deli and Deli Brands, Coleman will be responsible for overseeing the brand’s global growth strategy, menu innovation, profitability, and day-to-day operations.
His arrival is viewed by industry analysts as a tactical "win" for GoTo Foods. Coleman is tasked with navigating the "next phase of growth," which includes expanding the footprint of both brands while maintaining the high hospitality standards that have come to define McAlister’s. For Schlotzsky’s, Coleman will oversee the continued rollout of a new restaurant prototype designed to modernize the guest experience and optimize off-premises sales.
Chronology: The Path to the Presidency
Brandon Coleman’s career is a blueprint of high-stakes restaurant management and private equity-backed turnarounds. His journey to the top of GoTo Foods’ deli division is marked by a series of successful tenures at diverse dining concepts.
The Cotton Patch Transformation (2024–2026)
Before joining GoTo Foods, Coleman spent over two years as CEO and operating partner at Cotton Patch Cafe, a 46-unit chain specializing in Texas-style comfort food. Under the ownership of Altamont Capital Partners, Coleman led what the company described as a "significant transformation." His leadership resulted in a twelvefold increase in EBITDA—a staggering metric in the low-margin casual dining sector. Furthermore, he achieved six consecutive quarters of positive sales and traffic growth, even as the broader industry struggled with inflationary pressures. His tenure culminated in the successful sale and integration of Cotton Patch Cafe into the Local Favorite Restaurants portfolio earlier this year.
The TGI Fridays Tenure (2022–2023)
Coleman’s experience also includes a high-profile stint at TGI Fridays. Although his time as CEO was relatively brief (three months in late 2023), he left a lasting mark on the brand’s modernization strategy. He was instrumental in updating the menu to include bold, spicy flavors and launching an innovative event services platform aimed at capturing the post-pandemic demand for social gatherings and corporate catering.
Formative Years and Advisory Roles
Prior to his C-suite roles, Coleman built a robust foundation in operations and strategy at Dave & Buster’s, Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group, and Romano’s Macaroni Grill. He also served as a partner at Brava Partners, where he provided strategic counsel to restaurant chains and private equity firms, honing his ability to balance guest satisfaction with bottom-line profitability.
Supporting Data: A Billion-Dollar Foundation
Coleman inherits a portfolio that is currently firing on all cylinders. The data suggests that McAlister’s Deli, in particular, has become the "crown jewel" of the GoTo Foods sandwich division.
- The Billion-Dollar Mark: In 2024, McAlister’s Deli officially joined the elite "Billion Dollar Club," reporting systemwide sales exceeding $1 billion. This growth was driven by aggressive unit expansion and a loyal customer base attracted to the brand’s "Great Food and Genuine Hospitality" ethos.
- Menu Diversification: In 2025, McAlister’s executed its largest menu update in recent history. The strategy centered on diversifying its protein offerings, specifically introducing high-quality pork-based core items. This move was designed to broaden the brand’s appeal beyond its traditional turkey and ham sandwiches, successfully increasing average check sizes and dinner-time traffic.
- The Schlotzsky’s Pivot: Schlotzsky’s has undergone a similar metamorphosis. Earlier in 2026, the brand reverted to its roots by officially re-adding "Deli" to its name. Along with the name change, the brand debuted a new restaurant prototype that features a smaller, more efficient kitchen and enhanced drive-thru capabilities, reflecting the industry’s shift toward digital and off-premises dining.
Official Responses: A Vision for Sustainable Growth
The leadership at GoTo Foods has expressed high confidence in Coleman’s ability to bridge the gap between corporate strategy and franchise-level execution.
Omer Gajial, CEO of GoTo Foods, highlighted Coleman’s dual-sided expertise in a formal statement: "Brandon’s deep expertise on both sides of franchise operations—as both a brand leader and a strategic advisor—will be invaluable as we build on the brand’s strong foundation and enter its next chapter of growth."
Gajial emphasized that the company’s future success would be predicated on three pillars:
- Clear Communication: Articulating the unique value proposition of McAlister’s and Schlotzsky’s in a crowded market.
- Elevated Guest Experience: Utilizing feedback from team members and guests to refine service models.
- Franchisee Returns: Ensuring that corporate decisions prioritize the profitability of the independent business owners who operate the majority of the locations.
"By listening to our team members and franchisees… we will drive sustainable growth together," Gajial added, signaling a collaborative approach to the brands’ expansion.
Implications: What This Means for the Fast-Casual Sector
The appointment of Brandon Coleman is more than just a personnel change; it is a signal of GoTo Foods’ aggressive stance in the "Sandwich Wars." The implications of this move stretch across several key areas of the industry:
1. The "Hospitality-First" Fast Casual Model
McAlister’s has long differentiated itself through table service and its famous "Sweet Tea" culture. With Coleman’s background in casual dining (Cotton Patch, TGI Fridays), industry experts expect a further blurring of the lines between fast-casual efficiency and casual-dining hospitality. Coleman is likely to lean into "high-touch" service elements that justify premium pricing in an era where many competitors are moving toward total automation.
2. Franchisee-Centric Strategy
The mention of "prioritizing franchisee returns" by CEO Omer Gajial is a direct nod to the current economic climate. With rising labor and commodity costs, franchisees are increasingly wary of corporate-mandated renovations or menu changes that don’t offer a clear ROI. Coleman’s track record of 12x EBITDA growth at Cotton Patch suggests he is a leader who understands how to squeeze efficiency out of operations without sacrificing quality.
3. Digital and Prototype Evolution
With Schlotzsky’s new prototype already in play, Coleman will be tasked with scaling these "Deli of the Future" models. This likely involves integrating advanced AI-driven ordering systems, optimizing third-party delivery logistics, and perhaps exploring "ghost kitchen" modules for urban markets. The goal will be to make the brands as accessible as possible while reducing the overhead costs for new franchisees.
4. Competitive Pressure on Rivals
Coleman’s move puts direct pressure on competitors like Panera Bread, Jason’s Deli, and Firehouse Subs. McAlister’s $1 billion milestone indicates that it is no longer a regional player but a national powerhouse. Under Coleman, the industry can expect a more aggressive marketing push and a faster pace of innovation that could force competitors to rethink their own menu and service strategies.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
As Brandon Coleman settles into his role at GoTo Foods’ Atlanta headquarters, the mandate is clear: maintain the "small-town feel" of McAlister’s Deli while scaling it with the precision of a multi-billion-dollar enterprise. For Schlotzsky’s, the challenge will be to ensure the recent rebrand resonates with a younger, tech-savvy demographic without alienating the brand’s long-standing fans.
With a resume built on transformation and a portfolio of brands that are already showing record-breaking momentum, Coleman is uniquely positioned to define the next era of the American deli. His performance over the next 18 to 24 months will likely serve as a bellwether for the health of the fast-casual industry at large.
