Five Guys Burgers and Fries’ founder Jerry Murrell was initially opposed to franchising the fast-casual concept and finally had to be persuaded by his business partners — his wife and five sons. 


Phil Friedman plans to step down as chief executive of McAlister’s Deli in the fall, intending to “look for something new,” he told Nation’s Restaurant News on Friday.

Ridgeland, Miss.-based McAlister’s, a more than 300-unit fast-casual sandwich chain, has hired a search firm to find a replacement, he said.

When asked why he decided to make the move, Friedman said, “There are a lot of reasons. I’ve been with McAlister’s for 11 years, and it’s a good time to do something else.”