by Elizabeth Farina
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He’s heard it a million times: “Were you named for the late Big Band legend Glenn Miller?” Only once did a fellow get the instrument correct – Glenn Miller played the trombone – said Richmond resident Glenn Miller.

Miller doesn’t mind people tying his name to the musical master. He is already comfortable with his own accomplishments. Miller, in his own words, is married to a “Southern belle” named Karen and proud of their family.

The Great Britain native became a United States citizen after 12-plus years of living in Richmond. “People don’t understand how good this country is. This is the country with the most choice in the world. I couldn’t have done in the Old World what I can do in this new one, absolutely impossible. There’s no space. There’s no access to capital. There’s no social fabric there that encourages you to succeed. Here, people celebrate success,” he said.

And succeed he did. After 20 years working in the banking industry, Miller left his former career for a new opportunity. He and his brother Ian Miller opened up 18 Arby’s Restaurant franchises in Illinois and began expanding in Central Virginia with the opening of their third McAlister’s Deli franchise, located at 15600 WC Commons Way in the Westchester Commons shopping center at the Watkins Centre in August.

“We have restaurants in Central Virginia from Harrisonburg to Manassas to the beach,” Miller said.
The brothers began expanding into McAlister’s in 2007. “We liked the product. It’s fresh, non-fried. It seemed to be a product for our daughters, for a different generation,” Miller said.

McAlister’s Deli offers a variety of choices. Their salads are made one bowl at a time with the dressing mixed. “I love the food. I absolutely love the food. I like the wraps, myself. I like the Chicken Caesar wrap, that’s my favorite,” Miller said.

The club sandwich and choose-any-two platters are customer favorites as well as the Giant Spuds. The giant potatoes can be loaded with everything from chili and jalapenos to a variety of meats and toppings. “I can’t say it’s calorific when we offer the big Spud, but students love the big Spud,” he said.

“It’s a good product and we’ve got great people,” Miller said.

Currently, the franchise owners employ more than 450 employees at the Illinois locations and have added more. “I like employing people,” he said.