McAlister's Deli chain expanding to Naperville

A deli that alumni of several universities in Illinois might know from their campus days is coming to Naperville.

McAlister's Deli has locations in college towns including Carbondale, Champaign, Normal and Peoria, and it's now planning an expansion to Naperville and about 15 other towns in the suburban area.

The move will increase the restaurant's presence from seven delis in downstate Illinois, and it comes as the Georgia-based chain is planning to open 30 new shops this year.

McAlister's offers "great food and genuine hospitality," President Carin Stutz said in a news release. It's a fast-casual chain known for sandwiches, spuds and sweet tea.

McAlister's was founded in 1989, and for the past six years, the chain has hosted a Free Tea Day, last year giving away 320,000 glasses of its "Famous Sweet Tea."