The new store design took more than a year to develop and is featured in two restaurants, one in Aurora, Colo., and the other in Lexington, Ky. Shown here is the location in Aurora.

In addition to a new color palette, the design includes mixed seating with tables, booths and hi-tops with bar stool seating, as well as new fixtures and lighting and a tea bar.

Digital screens are used to showcase McAlister's Deli menu offerings. The latest evolution of the 307-unit McAlister's Deli is a giant leap from even the 2009 prototype in regard to seating, color palate and layout.

One of the biggest changes is the Tea Bar, a separate area where McAlister's employees will serve the company's signature iced tea to guests, rather than from behind the POS.

Each new model will feature some aspect of the local community."I just felt like we needed to do something a little different," said McAlister's Deli CEO Frank Paci. "We want modern and comfortable in a more updated setting."

The second location to feature the new design is in Lexington, Ky. Shown here is the exterior of the Lexington location.

Executives at McAlister's Deli are in the process of updating some of their company-owned locations and will work with franchisees on updating existing units as well.

As the new store design is introduced, the company is embarking on an aggressive growth strategy. The company will focus on undeveloped markets in the states where McAlister's currently operates, as well as growth in new territories.

McAlister's CEO Frank Paci said the project was started by the company's board of directors slightly before his arrival in September 2010, and is the first major overhaul the company has seen "in a long time."