Thomas & King is #1 in Applebee's neighborhood. The company is one the largest franchisees of Applebee's, operating about 90 of its signature restaurants. The casual dining establishments offer a variety of menu items, such as burgers, steaks, and seafood, but are most popular for their selection of appetizers. Thomas & King also operates a half dozen Johnny Carino's Italian-themed restaurants franchised from Austin, Texas-based Fired Up. Co-founded in 1988 by CEO Mike Scanlon, the company operates restaurants in Arizona, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

Here you're sure to find the pot o' sushi gold at the end of the rainbow roll. Todai SSB operates and franchises more than 20 sushi and Asian fusion buffet restaurants throughout the US, Hong Kong, China, and South Korea -- with plans to expand into Canada. Todai is popular for the number of its sushi and seafood dishes and full menu, which includes hot and cold entrees, soups, salads, and desserts. Brothers Kaku and Toru Makino opened the first Todai in California in 1985; CEO Hans Kim, a former engineer from Korea, owns the company.

The Tiki gods command your attention at these dining spots. Trader Vic's oversees a chain of more than 30 licensed restaurants and lounges popular for their over-the-top Tiki bar decor and potent tropical beverages. Operating under the Trader Vic's and Trader Vic's Mai Tai Lounge names, the restaurants feature a menu of appetizers, Asian cuisine, and island-inspired eats, along with such traditional favorites as steak, pork, and seafood. Most Trader Vic's locations are found in and around resort hotels and other tourist destinations around the world. The company is controlled by the family of Victor Bergeron, inventor of the Mai Tai, who opened his first restaurant in 1934.

Formed in 2002, Tragus is one of the UK's largest independently owned restaurant chain operators with over 280 sites across the country serving over 20 million meals every year. Our exciting portfolio of leading brands are operated as four divisions - Café Rouge, Strada, Bella Italia, and the Brasseries - with offerings ranging from inspired pizza and pasta to delicious French classics. Tragus is backed by The Blackstone Group, a global private investment and advisory firm, founded in 1985. The firm has raised a total of more then $67 billion for alternative asset investing since its formation of which approximately $30 billion has been for private equity investing. The Private Equity Group is currently investing its fifth general private equity fund with commitments of $15.6 billion, and has over 60 experienced professionals with broad sector expertise. Blackstone’s other core businesses include Private Real Estate Investing, Corporate Debt Investing, Hedge Funds, Mutual Fund Management, Private Placement, Marketable Alternative Asset Management, and Investment Banking Advisory Services.

This company brings Tex-Mex flavors to the wild Midwest. Tumbleweed operates and franchises about 60 Tumbleweed Southwest Grill locations in five states, primarily Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. The casual-dining locations feature burritos, chimichangas, and enchiladas, as well as mesquite-grilled steaks, ribs, and chicken. Other menu items include sandwiches, burgers, and seafood. Most of the restaurants are corporate-run. Founded in 1975, the company was taken private in 2003 by a group led by former CEO Terry Smith and majority investor Gerald Mansbach. It filed for bankruptcy in 2009.

It shouldn't be a surprise that Uno Restaurant Holdings thinks its pizza is numero uno. The company operates and franchises about 160 Uno Chicago Grill restaurants in about 25 states and a handful of other countries. Known for its deep-dish, Chicago-style pizza, the casual dining chain also serves pasta, salads, seafood, steaks, burgers, and sandwiches. In addition to its flagship chain, the company has a fast casual concept called Uno Due Go as well as quick service Uno Express locations located in airports, sports arenas, and malls. Through subsidiary Uno Foods, it sells branded food products to airlines, hotels, supermarkets, and theaters. Uno Restaurant Holdings filed for bankruptcy in 2010.

Dining and digital entertainment are on the menu for uWink. The company operates two casual dining restaurants in California featuring its proprietary touchscreen terminals at each table that offer interactive games, movie trailers, and other digital media. The screens are also used by customers to order food from a menu of burgers, pizza, sandwiches, and other American fare. In addition to dining, each location features a bar area where patrons can enjoy drinks and play games. uWink is the brainchild of Chuck E. Cheese founder Nolan Bushnell.

Vongroup Limited (formerly Kamboat Group Company Limited) operates chains of Kamboat Chinese Cuisine and Kamboat Chiu Chow Cuisine restaurants in Hong Kong. The restaurants offer a variety of Chinese dishes, dim sum, and beverages. The eateries offer catering services as well. Vongroup has a significant interest in Kamboat Bakery, which distributes bakery and other food products, including festival foods, biscuits, and desserts, through more than 20 outlets. The company's restaurants and operations are located in China and Hong Kong.

W.H. Brakspear & Sons owns more than 150 leased and tenanted pubs, most of which are in the south of England. The public houses offer a variety of beers, wines, and other beverages, along with a menu of food items. The company was founded as a brewer more than 200 years ago but sold its beer business in 2003. (Brakspear beer is still made under license by Marston's-owned Refresh UK.) J. T. Davies & Sons Limited, another tenanted pub company, bought out the Brakspear family's shares in 2006, ending hundreds of years of family involvement in the company.

Don't look for pancakes at this house, because it doesn't serve 'em. Waffle House is the #2 family-style restaurant chain (behind Denny's) with more than 1,500 diners in about two dozen states, mostly in the South. The eateries are popular for eggs, grits, and waffles, as well as their famous "scattered, smothered, and covered" hash browns. In addition to day starters, the menu features T-bone steaks, cheeseburgers, and sandwiches for lunch and dinner. Invoking the 1950s-style diner, Waffle House units are typically free standing and open 24 hours a day. About half the locations are franchised. Joe Rogers Sr., father of CEO Joe Rogers Jr., started the family-owned business with partner Tom Forkner in 1955.

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