Salsarita’s Acquired By Former McAlister’s CEO

Fast Casual:

Former McAlister’s Deli president and CEO Phil Friedman has acquired the Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina restaurant chain. The chain has 80 stores across 19 states and is now owned by Salsarita’s Holdings LLC, a company formed and controlled by Friedman, who serves as CEO. Larry Reinstein will join Salsarita’s Holdings as president and chief operating officer. Reinstein was previously the president and CEO of Boston-based Fresh City.

“I am extremely delighted and fortunate that the Salsarita’s chain became available. To me, it is the right opportunity at the right time,” Friedman said. “Salsarita’s is in a great category and all of those elements from McAlister’s Deli are here: taste, variety and choice. Those are all strengths and I really like that a lot.”