FSR NextGen 25: The Restaurants Leading a Full-Service Revolution

Ambition, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence are the qualities that mark the true trailblazers in the restaurant world. As we cast a spotlight on this year’s NextGen 25 brands, we’re not just talking about restaurants; we’re welcoming a new era in full-service dining. The NextGen 25 movement is redefining hospitality and the very essence of eating out by merging cutting-edge culinary artistry with experiences that resonate and connect with guests. These brands are setting a new benchmark with menus that intrigue and inspire, atmospheres that draw diners into another world, and service that raises the bar for what it means to be truly taken care of.

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Whether these brands are at one or 100 units, eyeing the franchise horizon, or courting the next big investors, each brand in our NextGen 25 list brings something unique to the table. Though their growth strategies may differ, the end goal is the same: to revolutionize the full-service restaurant industry.

The Ginger Brands 

HQ: Delray Beach, Florida

Units: 5

Founded: 2014

Leading the pack of FSR NextGen 25 for 2024 is The Ginger Brands, known for its experiential dining and entertainment concepts that go far beyond the ordinary. Let’s take THRōW Social, for example: the brand’s catchphrase “let’s get flocked up” works on a few different levels—one of which alludes to a phrase about drinking that isn’t quite appropriate to print in a magazine. But when you look at the literal meaning of “flock,” it means to congregate in a large group, and that’s exactly what the tropical-themed live music bar is designed to do.

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Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar

HQ: Plano, Texas

Units: 10

Founded: 2010

Part of FB Society’s growing portfolio, Whiskey Cake is an American neighborhood tavern concept with a focus on locally sourced, farm-fresh food, like pork ribs and chicken and waffles, and its namesake dish, Whiskey Cake—sticky toffee cake with bourbon anglaise, spiced pecans, and topped with house made vanilla whipped cream, plus garden-to-class whiskey-forward cocktails.

Your 3rd Spot

HQ: Atlanta

Units: 1

Founded: 2020

Named after the concept of a “third place” after work and home, Your 3rd Spot boasts a “vibe-forward” social dining experience with upscale small plates, craft beverages, and a collection of more than 70 games. Developed by AMP Up1 Hospitality, Your 3rd Spot opened in Atlanta’s Upper Westside and is slated to open locations in Texas, Illinois, Tennessee, New York, Washington DC, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and Virginia.

Trapper’s Sushi

HQ: Bonney Lake, Washington

Units: 15

Founded: 2004

After Trapper O’Keeffe opened the first Trapper’s Sushi, it wasn’t long before interest grew in the all-you-can-eat sushi concept. The non-traditional menu is meant to make sushi approachable, with everything made to order. The brand’s future growth strategy is to have 100 employee-owned restaurants.

HashTAG

HQ: Denver

Units: 2

Founded: 2017

Helmed by iconic Denver restaurateur and chef Troy Guard, HashTAG is known for being an innovative “Boozy Brunch Joint,” a term TAG Restaurant Group trademarked. A lively atmosphere plus Guard’s inventive twists on classic brunch fare with high-quality ingredients makes it a must-try.

Pinstripes

HQ: Chicago

Units: 16

Founded: 2006

Pinstripes, an eatertainment concept known for its bowling and bocce activities, made waves this year by becoming the first restaurant company to go public in 2024 via a merger with special purpose acquisition company Banyan Acquisition. The chain will use $70-plus million in gross proceeds from the transaction to fund future store openings. 

Gen Korean BBQ

HQ: Cerritos, California

Units: 36

Founded: 2011

Gen Korean BBQ is a unique concept in that everyone is their own chef. The restaurant uses a self-service model in which food products are displayed family-style and customers use an embedded grill at the center of the table to cook. The chain, which went public in 2023, believes it has room for 250 U.S. locations. 

Uncle Julio’s 

HQ: Irving, Texas

Units: 36

Founded: 1986

Uncle Julio’s, with stores spread across 12 states, received a spark this fall when it named Scott Lawton CEO and RJ Thomas president and COO. Lawton co-founded bartaco in 2011. The casual-dining restaurant and Uncle Julio’s are both owned by private equity firm L Catterton. 

Condado Tacos

HQ: Columbus, Ohio

Units: 49

Founded: 2014 

Condado Tacos prides itself as a social destination, especially on Thursday through Friday nights. The company has a strong focus on spirits and beverages, which accounts for nearly 40 percent of sales. The restaurant boasts a vibrant atmosphere with graffiti art created by local community members adorning the walls and lively music, contributing to a fun ambiance. In fact, since first opening in 2014, the casual-dining chain has employed more than 200 local artists to contribute to original mural artwork inside restaurants. Additionally, at Condado Tacos, employees are encouraged to express their individuality, as uniforms are not required. This approach fosters a fun and welcoming atmosphere, both for the staff and the guests, attracting top talent.

The restaurant maintains an approachable price point, claiming to be the best value for under $20. To keep the customer experience fresh, Condado Tacos regularly introduces new featured beverages, tacos, and dips. Off-premises orders have been steadily growing, accounting for about 30 to 35 percent of its overall business. To honor the second anniversary of its mobile app, the brand hosted an app taco party in which 50 customers received $1,000 in reward dollars during August. All new rewards guests who downloaded the app received a $5 off coupon. 

Charitable work is also at the center of Condado Taco’s mission. Last year, the brand launched a national partnership with Feeding America. It aimed to raise at least $100,000 through its Southwest Midwest Taco, with a portion of sales going toward this goal. Employees across almost 50 locations had volunteering opportunities at local food banks to combat hunger in their communities. Ninety percent of the funds raised were donated to local food bank partners.

Snooze, an AM Eatery 

HQ: Denver

Units: 67

Founded: 2006

Brother-entrepreneur duo Jon and Adam Schlegel flipped the traditional breakfast menu on its head with pancake flights, creative cocktails, and rotating seasonal dishes. This eccentric breakfast chain has made a name for itself across 10 states, 67 locations, and a team of 3,000 employees as it grows from coast to coast. 

Snooze’s “breakfast beliefs” are simple but make an enormous impact: maintaining sustainable restaurant practices, responsibly sourcing ingredients, and giving back to the community in the form of various charitable partnerships each year. In 2023, Snooze donated $200,000 in-kind to local nonprofits, and continues to raise money for philanthropic projects throughout the country. 

Famous for its team of dedicated “Snoozers,” the brunch sensation remains a champion of employee retention through support programs and benefits, including the Snooze Compass Foundation, which acts as a collective emergency fund for employees. The Snooze Compass Foundation granted $175,640 to over 200 Snoozers in need last year. 

With 155,000 followers and counting on Instagram, Snooze is keen on leveraging its social media presence to connect with guests and fill essential gaps within the industry, including rolling out a “Weekday Eats” program in January 2024 which seeks to move beyond brunch and expand its versatility and reach. 

The brand is moving full steam ahead, one flight of pancakes at a time. With six new units slated to open in 2024, Snooze is expected to expand in cities like Las Vegas, Nevada; Orlando, Florida; and multiple locations in Texas. After a record-breaking 2023, the breakfast eatery continues to diversify its menu, develop its catering program (which grew by 313 percent last year), and contribute to sustainable environmental initiatives. 

Big Bad Breakfast

HQ: Oxford, Mississippi

Units: 19

Founded: 2008

James Beard Award-winning chef John Currence summed up the culinary experiences of his childhood in New Orleans through one big, bad breakfast menu that includes scratch-made and preservative-free ingredients specifically curated for each location. As the brand approaches its 25th restaurant in the Southeastern quadrant, Currence is preparing for 50. 

Ruby Slipper Cafe 

HQ: New Orleans, Louisiana

Units: 24 (one more coming soon in 2024)

Founded: 2008

Ruby Slipper believes in keeping the spirit of brunch alive through its signature “boozy brunches,” all-day breakfast menu, and creative LTOs. The New Orleans-based cafe is best known for its homemade biscuits, serving over 40,000 a week! With almost 25 restaurants in six states in counting, Ruby Slipper aims to bring #ThatBrunchLife across the nation. 

Wild Eggs

HQ: Louisville, Kentucky

Units: 15

Founded: 2007

Inspired by the hearty breakfasts of farmers, Wild Eggs hatched in 2007 as a brunch concept encouraging guests to get “a taste of the wild side” through its expansive menu and down-home hospitality. With a new franchise program, the brand is slated to open 35 or more locations in the next five years throughout the Southeast and beyond. 

Pacific Catch 

HQ: Corte Madera, California

Units: 14

Founded: 2003

This eco-friendly fish house is a Bay Area classic, incorporating flavors of the Pacific Ocean in its sushi bar, poke bowls, and wave-to-table seafood grill. After being featured in an Apple ad in 2007, the brand hit it big and has been a leader in sustainable fishing practices ever since, growing up and down the California coast. 

Famous Toastery

HQ: Charlotte, North Carolina

Units: 25

Founded: 2005

For a relatively small concept, the better-brunch franchise had an outsized moment in the sun to close 2023. Famous Toastery became the title sponsor of the “Famous Toastery Bowl,” which took place on December 18 at Jerry Richardson Stadium on the campus of the UNC Charlotte and was televised on ESPN, replacing the Bahamas Bowl. It got the brand in front of millions and generated no shortage of chatter on social media. It wasn’t the first time Famous Toastery reached the sports world, either. One of its enthusiasts and longtime customers is NASCAR Cup Series driver and 2021 Daytona 500 Champion Michael McDowell. The parties signed a partnership earlier in 2023.

“Hosting the Famous Toastery Bowl was an incredible opportunity to bring an exciting event to the city of Charlotte, and solidify Famous Toastery as an established brand in the brunch space,” says Mike Sebazco, president of Famous Toastery. “The Famous Toastery Bowl brought our regional franchise to the national spotlight—not only on ESPN on December 18, but across a number of national outlets both pre- and post-gameday. Famous Toastery gained immediate national attention following ESPN’s announcement of our bowl game sponsorship, with those who may have never heard of Famous Toastery before talking about our restaurant repeatedly on-air, via social media, in the press, etc.”

“From an extremely quick execution, to a record-making game and tremendous post-game buzz, Famous Toastery earned immense exposure unlike anything we’ve seen before,” he adds. 

Beyond the spotlight apex, 2023 was an eventful stretch for Famous Toastery. Over the past few years, it’s worked to shore up operational efficiencies so it can drive sales and grow its franchise business, including standardizing operating procedures across all locations, reengineering the restaurant’s menu and prices to improve unit level economics, and launching a “Famously Fresh” campaign at the unit level and across marketing channel. It also expanded leadership by adding franchise and industry vets Mike Sebazco as president and Eric Gustafsson as VP of franchise development. In 2022, the brand saw its top 50 percent of franchise locations report an average-unit volume of $1.771 million.

solita Tacos & Margaritas

HQ: Cypress, California (Xperience Restaurant Group)

Units: 6

Founded: 2014

XRG, the parent company of El Torito and Chevys Fresh Mex, among others, acquired Sol Cocina and solita Tacos & Margaritas in late 2019. The former was founded in Newport Beach more than a decade ago by chef Deborah Schneider. solita arrived in 2014 and scaled to six units with an agave bar that features more than 70 of Mexico’s finest small-batch tequilas and mezcals, including the chain’s signature single-barrel tequila, curated, and blended specially for solita. The brand features “charro tacos” cooked using an oak-fired Santa Maria grill and smoker. There are also more than 20 different fresh-made salsas.

Big Whiskey’s American Restaurant and Bar

HQ: Ozark, Missouri

Units: 14

Founded: 2006

Big Whiskey’s expansion has begun to hit its stride in recent months. The brand last October opened a store in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to record-breaking sales per capita. Within a week of its grand debut, it generated more than $100,000 in sales. More expansion in its home market is slated for 2024 with two corporate units in Neosho and Lebanon planned for the summer, which would bring the company-run footprint to nine locations. Franchise growth is also taking the brand to Alabama, Florida, and Arkansas this year— the chain enjoyed 93 percent expansion in locations sold in 2023. Big Whiskey’s touts EBITDA of 29.8 percent compared to the market average of 16.8 percent. And thanks to sizable beverage sales (23.08 percent of mix), the brand’s average check sits around $31.55. 

“We are grateful for the growth we have seen over the past few months,” says Paul Sundy, cofounder of the brand. “Our team has worked hard to grow intentionally. Not only do we get the opportunity to make an impact on the small communities where we have landed, but we also get to be a part of all of the celebrated moments of life for those living in these communities. We look forward to what 2024 will bring.”

Lazy Dog Restaurants

HQ: Costa Mesa, California

Units: 48

Founded: 2003

Lazy Dog couples a laid-back vibe—influenced by the Rocky Mountain lifestyle where founder Chris Simms spent time with family growing up—with accelerated expansion plans. The chain to date has scaled through California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, Virginia, Florida, and Texas, and has six sites picked and ready to hit the market in 2024 (two in Texas, two in Illinois, a store in Nevada, and an opening apiece in Colorado and California). Lazy Dog continues to resonate for its approachable menu, wide selection of cocktails and craft beer, and some offbeat activations, like hand-crafted TV dinners made in-house and Lazy Dog’s Beer Club, a quarterly membership program that gives members access to small-batch specialty beers, merchandise, and in-restaurant benefits.

VIA 313

HQ: Austin, Texas

Units: 18

Founded: 2011

Via 313’s DNA is in its name. The numbers are the area code of Detroit, and represent how Brandon and Zane Hunt, born and bred natives of the Motor City, carried Detroit-style pizza to new markets around (Zane claims the brand is the first to call it “Detroit-style pizza” out of their hometown). What started as a nondescript trailer on East 6th and Waller in Austin, Texas, VIA 313 has spread out to 18 locations. Savory invested in the brand in 2020 will continue to fuel development and the Detroit-style pizza, which is best described as rectangular pizza that boasts a thick, fluffy crust piled with ingredients—including fresh sauce ladled on after the bake.

Puttery

HQ: Dallas

Units: 10

Founded: 2021

Fusing tech-forward gameplay and competitive socializing with elevated food and craft cocktails, Puttery is an immersive mini-golf lounge for customers ages 21 and up from Drive Shack, an owner and operator of golf-related entertainment businesses. The concept launched in 2021 with units in Dallas and Charlotte, North Carolina; followed by Houston; Chicago; and Washington, D.C., in 2022. Locations in Pittsburgh; Minneapolis; Kansas City, Missouri; and Miami came online in 2023, and a tenth unit opened in New York City earlier this year. The multi-level venues feature several golf courses, bars, and lounges. They range from 15,000 square feet to 26,000 square feet with an average cost to build of $8 million to $10 million. Each course features modern updates to the classic game of mini golf, including challenging course design, state-of-the-art putters selected by four-time major champion and investor Rory McIlroy, and digital scorecards with touchscreen monitors that track scores in lieu of pen and paper. Puttery’s food and beverage program is equally important as its gameplay. With an on-course wait staff and multiple seating areas, guests can order from chef-inspired food and beverage menus before, during, and after their golf game. There are some classic, familiar favorites, like charcuterie boards, wings, burgers, sandwiches, pastas, and pizzas, as well as some more adventurous options, like poke bowls, ceviche, and sous vide pork belly. Craft cocktails, wine, and beer are also available, with themed drinks that accompany each course.

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar

HQ: Carolina Beach, North Carolina

Units: 19

Founded: 2007

With a focus on sustainable and domestic sourcing, Shuckin’ Shack aims to offer the same quality you’d find at a white-tablecloth establishment but with a relaxed vibe and casual atmosphere that stands out from other oyster bar concepts and full-service seafood chains. It is concentrated on the East Coast but is starting to make its way inland, opening locations as far west as Illinois and targeting secondary markets in states like Ohio, West Virginia, and Alabama. 

Toasted Yolk Cafe

HQ: Houston

Units: 38

Founded: 2010

Toasted Yolk Cafe is riding the wave of the booming breakfast daypart. It also is differentiating itself in the increasingly crowded category with an equally extensive lunch menu and a robust line-up of specialty cocktails, which are emphasized in newer stores by open-air bars that lead to a patio. The chain started growing beyond the borders of its native Texas in 2021 and continued expanding its national footprint last year with openings in new states like Florida, Kentucky, Georgia, Ohio, and Mississippi. 

Flying Biscuit Cafe

HQ: Atlanta

Units: 33

Founded: 1993

Flying Biscuit’s first cafe sold out of its signature biscuits in four hours on opening day. That was just a taste of what was to come for the menu-driven comfort food concept in the following decades. It has charted steady expansion throughout the Southern U.S. in recent years, with franchising kicking into high gear post-pandemic alongside the broader breakfast category’s growing popularity. 

Fox Bros Bar-B-Q

HQ: Atlanta

Units: 5

Founded: 2007

What started as a catering business is now a local empire for twin brothers Jonathan and Justin Fox. They opened the first Fox Bros Bar-B-Q restaurant in Atlanta in 2007 alongside partner Beau Nolen, and have since expanded with two additional full-service locations and a “Que’Osk” walk-up window. The brand’s Texas-style smoked meats also are served at a taproom inside Atlanta’s Truist Park baseball stadium. 

Topgolf

HQ: Dallas

Units: 98 (88 in U.S.)

Founded: 2000

Created about a quarter-century ago, Topgolf has served as a roadmap for fellow golf-based social entertainment concepts that have come after it. The global chain considers itself a modern golf experience where anyone can have fun, whether they’ve picked up a golf club or not.