Knoxville, TN. (November 16, 2020) — For the entire month of November, McAlister's Deli donated 10¢ of every cup or bowl of soup sold to Meals on Wheels. Through this campaign, McAlister's Delis nationwide were able to raise over $100k for Meals on Wheels to help combat senior hunger and isolation this holiday season. Peak Restaurants, which operates McAlister's Delis in East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, raised $3,025.90 for the non-profit locally. 

As a part of this initiative, several members of Peak Restaurants' management team in the Knoxville area lead by example, volunteering their time with their local Meals on Wheels affiliate. 

"We had a great time delivering Meals on Wheels to senior citizens," said Chris Graves, Area Director of McAlister's Delis in Knoxville. "It was an honor and extremely rewarding, especially during this pandemic. Speaking with some of the community members was a real treat and we enjoyed them sharing stories.  Volunteering for this event was nourishing to the soul."

Representing McAlister's alongside Chris Graves were McAlister's GMs from across the Knoxville area: Zander Benson from Turkey Creek, Candace Reeves from Alcoa, Josh Bisig from Schaad Road, Debra Culver from Pigeon Forge, Rob Wellen from Fountain City, and Matt Marshall from Deane Hill. 

We're proud of leadership they showed in volunteering to give back, and thankful to Meals on Wheels for the opportunity to partner with them this holiday season. 

October is also Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and Peak held fundraisers at our locations across East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia for local Down syndrome awareness organizations, donating 10% of sales from 5 p.m. to close on October 21. 

McAlister’s in the Knoxville area raised $1,800 for the Down Syndrome Awareness Group of East Tennessee in Knoxville, a parent-initiated organization developed to provide information and support to families of individuals with Down syndrome and to raise awareness within the community about the abilities of individuals with Down syndrome and the benefits of their inclusion into society. 
 
Proceeds from the event at Tri-Cities McAlister’s—which raised $582.60—go to FRIENDS, a support group in the Tri-Cities that promotes community understanding and acceptance of individuals with Down syndrome. 
 
McAlister’s in the Virginia Blue Ridge area raised $518.90 for the Down Syndrome Association of Roanoke (DSAR), a non-profit that provides advocacy and recreational activities for those with Down syndrome as well as educational opportunities and support. 

We are grateful to partner again this year with each of these organizations. 

Learn more about DSAG.
Learn more about FRIENDS.
Learn more about DSAR. 

August 14, 2020 — Over the last few months, our medical professionals have been working harder than ever for our health and safety, and we want them to know their hard work doesn't go unnoticed. That's why, in May, we teamed up with our guests to recognize local medical professionals in our McAlister's Medical Heroes contest.

Thank you for nominating a special medical professional in your life. Today, we announce the winners! 

Johnson City 

• Dr. Shelby Olds, Bristol Pediatrics & Internal Medicine

 
Kingsport 

• Taylor Flanagan, Sullivan County EMS
• Jessica Miller, Addus Homecare
• Steffen Chase, James H. Quillen VA Medical Center

July 29, 2020 — Last week, to celebrate Free Tea Day, we donated gallons of tea to the essential workers in our communities. We are grateful for all they do, today and every day.

Below are a few of the photos from the day, featuring our tea drops at Indian Path Community Hospital (Kingsport, TN), the Knoxville Fire Department, the Knoxville Police Department, and more.

Alcoa, TN. (July 13, 2020) — McAlister's Deli in Alcoa was recently notified that it had won Best Deli in the Blount County Chamber of Commerce's 2020 "Best of Blount" contest. 

​This is a Reader's Choice award, chosen by the guests in our community, and we're honored to receive it!