If there’s one thing McAlister’s Deli built its name on, it’s the tea. Ask any regular, and they’ll tell you the sweet tea is half the reason they walk through the door. On Thursday, July 16, the deli chain is handing it out for free, no purchase required, at participating locations nationwide.
The chain’s roots go back further than most fans realize. McAlister’s got its start in 1989 in Oxford, Mississippi, when a retired dentist named Don Newcomb turned an abandoned movie-set diner, originally built for the film “Heart of Dixie,” into a neighborhood sandwich shop. Nearly four decades later, the menu still leans on the same formula: hearty club sandwiches stacked a dozen layers high, giant baked spuds loaded with toppings, soups, salads and desserts, plus, of course, the tea that made the brand famous in the first place.
This isn’t a one-time gimmick, either. Free Tea Day started back in 2009, and it’s grown into something bigger every summer since. What began as a single-day pour has turned into local fundraising efforts, school and nonprofit partnerships, and a running thank-you to the people who show up for their communities. This year, that thank-you has a name: CommuniTEA Connections, a season-long program that’s handed out Free Tea Passes to teachers, healthcare workers and first responders all summer long.
The chain has built plenty of runway to pull this off. McAlister’s now runs 570 restaurants across 31 states, all serving the same tea recipe that’s kept it a regional favorite since day one. That consistency is part of the pitch: fresh-brewed tea made with Rainforest Alliance Certified leaves, customizable with flavor shots and the brand’s well-known half-and-half combinations.
What You Get on Free Tea Day
- A free Big Tea (sweet, unsweet, half-and-half, flavored, or tea-lemonade combos), no purchase necessary, at participating locations on July 16
- Limit one tea per person in-store, or up to four per online or app order
- Flavor shots and half-and-half combos available for customizing your cup
The Deal Doesn’t Stop There
- McAlister’s Rewards Members get a free beverage with any entrée purchase from July 17 through July 19
- The reward has to be applied at checkout and is good for a single use only
- Beyond the giveaway, McAlister’s offers dine-in, take-out, online and app ordering, plus catering with sandwich trays, box lunches and hot bars for anyone feeding a bigger crowd
“Free Tea Day is our way of saying thank you to our guests, our neighborhoods and the people who make them stronger every day,” said Jessica Osborne, McAlister’s vice president of marketing. “Whether it’s sharing a glass of tea with friends, family or coworkers, these everyday moments help create the sense of connection that’s always been at the heart of our brand.”
That’s the whole idea behind the “little something extra” McAlister’s has leaned on for years: a free tea isn’t going to change anyone’s week, but it’s the kind of small gesture that keeps people coming back. Find a participating location at mcalistersdeli.com.
Jennifer Allen is a retired professional chef and long-time writer. Her work appears in dozens of publications, including MSN, Yahoo, The Washington Post and The Seattle Times. These days, she’s busy in the kitchen developing recipes and traveling the world, and you can find all her best creations at Cook What You Love.