Jeff Shawl, Owner

Born in California but raised in Bristol, Tennessee, Jeff graduated from James Madison University in 1992.  Jeff earned an Accounting Degree and began his career in Entrepreneurial Services for Ernst and Young in the Washington DC area.  Over the next ten years, Jeff served as a consultant and auditor, earned a MBA from the University of Tennessee, and worked in various project management roles at Philip Morris USA and iXL in Richmond, Virginia.

It is in Richmond where Jeff was first introduced to McAlister’s Deli, which had opened near his iXL office.  In 2002, Jeff switched careers to become a founding partner in Peak Restaurants, LLC.  In addition to his responsibilities at Peak Restaurants, Jeff is currently also a Partner and Co-President of Arbico East LLC, an Arby’s franchise with 12 restaurants located in the TriCities area of East Tennessee. He has fifteen years restaurant leadership experience, across two brands.  In service to the McAlister’s system, Jeff has served two terms in the Franchise Advisory Committee. 

​Jeff resides in Knoxville, Tennessee with his wife, Missy, and son, Benjamin.  Jeff enjoys playing tennis, attending sporting events (mostly University of Tennessee events), and spending time at Fort Louden Lake in Knoxville with his family.  For his son, Jeff has been a Youth sports coach in baseball, basketball, and football.