Willie Jewell's Old School Bar-B-Q

With its home base in South Carolina, Willie Jewell's is all about authentic barbecue, slow-smoked on-site and cut to order. But while the cooking process takes time, the service model is fast casual, getting the meaty sandwiches, salads and platters to customers quickly and efficiently. Sides and desserts reflect the concept's roots as well, with items such as fried okra, corn fritters, collard greens, peach cobbler and banana pudding. Guests can also help themselves to four signature sauces on a warming station.

Willie Jewell's is the 10-year-old fast-casual spinoff of Bono's Pit Bar-B-Q, a brand established 70 years ago. The younger sibling's sales grew by 39% year over year, with five new units opening in 2018. All the restaurants are company-owned, with expansion slated for the Tampa, Fla., market and Brunswick, Ga. South Carolina, New Hampshire and other areas in Florida and Georgia have existing locations.