The Story of Peak
Peak Restaurants LLC was founded by Chris Smith, Don Shawl, and Jeff Shawl in 2002. The Company was created to bring McAlister’s Deli hospitality to East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. The Company was founded on a desire to create and build a lasting organization that provided something more than expected to its Guests, its Community, and its Team Members.
The Beginning
In 2001, Jeff, excited about the possibility of starting a business, approached his Dad, Don, about restaurant concepts that looked promising. Based on his deep industry experience and curiosity, Don provided several possibilities. Jeff began the initial research and discussed the idea with his longtime friend, Chris Smith. The three soon-to-be partners researched the concepts, travelling to corporate headquarters and franchisees across the Southeast. After the research and analysis, McAlister’s Deli was enthusiastically chosen as the perfect concept. McAlister’s provided the hospitality, originality, and youthful energy that Chris, Don, and Jeff were seeking.
The Beginning
In 2001, Jeff, excited about the possibility of starting a business, approached his Dad, Don, about restaurant concepts that looked promising. Based on his deep industry experience and curiosity, Don provided several possibilities. Jeff began the initial research and discussed the idea with his longtime friend, Chris Smith. The three soon-to-be partners researched the concepts, travelling to corporate headquarters and franchisees across the Southeast. After the research and analysis, McAlister’s Deli was enthusiastically chosen as the perfect concept. McAlister’s provided the hospitality, originality, and youthful energy that Chris, Don, and Jeff were seeking.
The Company
The name, Peak Restaurants LLC, was chosen during one long road trip evaluating potential sites. The name is a nod to the prominent geographic feature in its territory in the areas of Knoxville, TN, Tri-Cities, TN, and Roanoke VA.
In 2002, Peak Restaurants, LLC opened its first McAlister’s Deli in the Turkey Creek development in Knoxville, Tennessee. Within 20 months, two more Knoxville locations were opened. The group expanded into the TriCities area in 2005, opening a Kingsport, Tennessee location. The opening week in Kingsport was, up until that time, the biggest opening sales week in the history of McAlister’s Deli. Development has continued steadily. The company currently owns and operates 13 McAlister’s with multiple restaurants in each geographic area in which it operates. The most recent opening occurred in Bristol, Virginia, in November 2018.
The name, Peak Restaurants LLC, was chosen during one long road trip evaluating potential sites. The name is a nod to the prominent geographic feature in its territory in the areas of Knoxville, TN, Tri-Cities, TN, and Roanoke VA.
In 2002, Peak Restaurants, LLC opened its first McAlister’s Deli in the Turkey Creek development in Knoxville, Tennessee. Within 20 months, two more Knoxville locations were opened. The group expanded into the TriCities area in 2005, opening a Kingsport, Tennessee location. The opening week in Kingsport was, up until that time, the biggest opening sales week in the history of McAlister’s Deli. Development has continued steadily. The company currently owns and operates 13 McAlister’s with multiple restaurants in each geographic area in which it operates. The most recent opening occurred in Bristol, Virginia, in November 2018.
Peak Restaurants Now
The Company currently employs more than 300 people and has numerous Managers and Team Members who have served with the Company for more than a decade. Peak Restaurants is a recognized leader in the McAlister’s community, with several Peak leaders serving on Advisory, Technical, and Operational Committees that help set the future course for the McAlister's brand. In addition, Peak was named Franchisee of the Year in both 2015 and 2018.
The Company prides itself on its extensive community involvement. The Company has actively supported local schools and organizations such as East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Niswonger Children’s Hospital, Salvation Army, Autism Speaks, Dine Out for Education, Second Harvest Food Bank, Susan G. Komen, Race to End Cancer, and many, many others.
The Company currently employs more than 300 people and has numerous Managers and Team Members who have served with the Company for more than a decade. Peak Restaurants is a recognized leader in the McAlister’s community, with several Peak leaders serving on Advisory, Technical, and Operational Committees that help set the future course for the McAlister's brand. In addition, Peak was named Franchisee of the Year in both 2015 and 2018.
The Company prides itself on its extensive community involvement. The Company has actively supported local schools and organizations such as East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Niswonger Children’s Hospital, Salvation Army, Autism Speaks, Dine Out for Education, Second Harvest Food Bank, Susan G. Komen, Race to End Cancer, and many, many others.
