Focus Brands Inc. has promoted Paul Macaluso to president of McAlister’s Deli, the company said Wednesday.
Macaluso was most recently Focus Brands’ senior vice president of brand marketing strategy. He succeeds Rick Altizer, who had been named president of Alpharetta, Ga.-based McAlister’s in July.
Paul Damico, president of Focus Brands, said in a statement that “by leveraging his extensive restaurant experience, keen consumer insights knowledge and strategic marketing and operating skills, Paul will continue to identify and execute against key growth drivers for McAlister’s.”
The company said Macaluso had led the collective marketing capabilities for all six of Focus’ brands, including Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, Cinnabon, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Schlotzsky’s, and had played an instrumental role in developing a digital roadmap for those brands.
Macaluso joined Focus Brands in 2011 as vice president of marketing for Moe’s. He has more than 20 years of experience in operations, franchise and marketing at restaurant operators including Burger King, Sonic Drive-In and Taco Bell.
Altizer left McAlister’s for an opportunity in the oil and gas industry, a McAlister’s spokeswoman said via email. Altizer succeeded Carin Stutz, who left in April to become chief operating officer at Denver-based Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc.
Founded in 1989, McAlister’s Deli has more than 360 restaurants in 28 states.
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