Capriotti's hires McAlister's vet Walls as COOCapriotti's hires McAlister's vet Walls as COO

Lisa Jennings

LAS VEGAS Former McAlister’s Deli executive Patrick Walls has been named chief operating officer and general counsel of the 55-unit Capriotti’s sandwich chain, officials said Tuesday.

Walls will oversee Capriotti’s restaurant operations, development and expansion in the newly created position. He previously worked for 12 years with McAlister’s Corp., helping to grow that chain from 13 units to more than 280. Walls is also a former counsel for Francorp Inc., a franchise consulting company, and he serves on the International Franchise Association’s ICFE Board of Governors.

“Capriotti’s is thrilled to have Patrick on our team,” said Ashley Morris, Capriotti’s chief executive. “His vast experience and expertise is essential for the smooth transition of operations as we prepare to expand rather quickly into new markets over the next couple of years. Patrick will have a key role in the opening of Capriotti’s in Los Angeles and elsewhere very soon.”

Founded in 1976, the Las Vegas-based Capriotti’s chain operates and franchises sandwich shops in eight states.

Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected].