54th Street creates appealing spaces using such design touches as interior accordion walls that open onto patios with water features and eye-catching 54-tap beer systems that help foster “explosive and dynamic” bar scenes, he said.

Prices range from $1.99 for house-cut fries to $21.99 for a 14-ounce, certified Angus beef ribeye; full-day, blended per-person average is $16.50.

Read more about 54th Street here

BurgerFi’s progress stems from a consumer perception that it has brought “an obsessive focus on quality to the better burger space” through such practices as using only American Black Angus beef never exposed to steroids, antibiotics, growth hormones, chemicals or additives.

BurgerFi has marched its menu of burgers, hot dogs, fries, shakes, frozen custard and craft beers and wines from the Southeast to as far west as Anchorage, Alaska.

Burger prices vary from $5.87 for a single cheeseburger to $10.57 for the “CEO,” made with two Wagyu beef-brisket-blend patties, candied bacon-tomato jam, truffle aïoli and Swiss; per-person average is about $12.

Read more about BurgerFi here

A more casual version of Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, Del Frisco’s Grille offers an upscale bar and grill atmosphere with fresh seafood and prime steaks selected from its high-end sister brand Double Eagle.

Del Frisco’s Grille also offers an extensive wine list and a stylish, lighter and lively atmosphere

Sandwiches and entrée menu items range from $19 to $65.

Read more about Del Frisco's Grille here

“We want to be seen as a restaurant that features sports ... with a focus on food that is chef driven ... and known for value,” said Jason Emmett, president of Duffy’s Sports Grill-parent Duffy’s Management Inc.

The chain’s practice of opening in converted restaurant spaces that meet specific location, physical plant, HVAC and other proprietary requirements permits it to expand faster and for less than if it relied on new construction, he added.

Prices range from $4.99 for a cup of soup to $19.99 for a rack of ribs or steak; all-day per-person average is about $20, with lunch and dinner averages of $17 and $23, respectively.

Read more about Duffy's Sports Grill here

Eddie V’s is described by operator Darden Restaurants Inc. as a contemporary fine-dining restaurant and oyster bar concept that targets major metropolitan areas, features live music in the lounge and adapts menus and wine lists to reflect regional tastes and pricing practices.

Darden is betting that Eddie V’s unique-to-each-location decor, personal service and attention to details, such as in-house preparation of tortillas for lobster tacos, will resonate with higher-income social and business diners.

Prices range from $3 for a single oyster to $89 for two South African lobster tails; per-person average is $98.

Read more about Eddie V's Prime Seafood here

Firebirds stands out as a “polished casual” brand differentiated by wood-fired cooking and in-house butchering that supports guest requests for special cuts as well as “better service” and a “nicer environment,” with such design flourishes as wine walls and waterfall-inspired back bar displays, according to Stephen Loftis, vice president of marketing.

The chain is known for a signature grilled bacon-wrapped filet mignon and for 200-average-seat locations ideally situated in or near combination live-work-play neighborhoods, or “lifestyle centers.”

Entrées range from $12 to $52; the blended lunch-dinner per-person average is $27.

Read more about Firebirds Wood Fire Grill here

Management characterizes Golden Chick as a concept targeting both quick-service and home-meal-replacement users through a variety of menu proteins and styles, including fried and roasted bone-in and boneless chicken, catfish, salads and sides.

David Rutkowski, chief financial officer, said Golden Chick’s growth is fueled by its menu diversity and ongoing development of guest-facing technologies and design elements that support more convenient takeout and delivery, customer self-order and loyalty-program participation.

Pricing for single items $3.50-$7; meal packages $20-$30 and up. The average check runs $8.50 to $12 — depending on daypart and whether the guest is an individual or visiting with family.

Read more about Golden Chick here

For Chris Simms, chief executive, the goal in founding Lazy Dog was to create a next-generation casual-dining concept known for genuinely caring for the people who work at and dine in its restaurants.

Factors heightening Lazy Dog’s popularity, Simms has indicated, include the appeal of its restaurants’ natural trims, lush landscaping and unique sculptures, as well as “continuous food and beverage menu innovation” that yields a mix of favorite classics “with a Lazy Dog twist.”

Prices range from $4.95 for small plates to $28.50 for premium entrées; the per-person average is about $19.

Read more about Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar here

True Food Kitchen specializes in providing a rotating menu of food and beverages created with seasonal and nutritious ingredients.

The brand aims to accommodate all kinds of dietary needs and encourage healthful eating without sacrificing great taste. The chain was founded in 2008 by Sam Fox, CEO of Fox Restaurant Concepts, and Dr. Andrew Weil, a doctor of integrative medicine and wellness author.

Prices range from $5-$7.50 for refreshers and teas; $10-$12 for cocktails; $9-$15 for vegetables, starters, pizzas and salads; $15-$25 for bowls, sandwiches and entrées.

Read more about True Food Kitchen here

Wetzel's Pretzels are snack food shops with freshly baked pretzels served in colorful and fun environments.

Looking forward, the company is testing prototype kiosks and focusing on premium mall outposts as well as inline stores in Walmart and outlets.

The Signature Original Pretzel is about $3.79 but varies by region.

Read more about Wetzel's Pretzels here