Future 50: Emerging Brands

At Gyu-Kaku, the customer is the chef—literally. The Japan-based franchise, which has locations in New York, Chicago and L.A., features tapas-style Japanese cuisine prepared on table-mounted grills by the customers themselves.

Sushi Samba offers a stylish tri-cultural blend of Brazilian, Peruvian and Japanese culinary traditions. The menu includes items like tuna tataki, sashimi ceviche and South American beef maki rolls, and the restaurants’ funky and exotic ambience matches the food’s flair.

This contemporary Japanese grill, which debuted in Glendale, California, in 2002, is an East meets West fast-casual cafe, concentrated in California and Missouri. Its healthful, made-from-scratch menu ranges from sushi, sashimi and rolls to grilled fish and meats, tempura, bowls, soups and salads. The open kitchen with chefs at work is a focal point. Outdoor seating usually is provided.