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The segment may be maturing, but these growing fast-casual concepts have found plenty of opportunity.

These are the independent steakhouses bringing in the big bucks.

The top-performing independent steak restaurants of the year

The leading independent restaurants lured diners with new seafood riffs as well as limited-time or seasonal menu offerings showcasing fresh ingredients.

The top-performing independent restaurants specializing in Italian cuisine of 2017.

A dozen new restaurants made their way onto the Top 100 Independents ranking. Some weren't open long enough to make the sales minimum on last year's list. Others' incremental growth did the trick. And in a few cases, owners asked to be considered, and they were spot on.

Five of the highest-grossing independent restaurants in the U.S. are in the nation’s capital, from one of America’s oldest places to talk politics to a newcomer owned by a consortium of family farms.

Operators are winning over millennials, among others, with trend-forward dishes and menu presentations.

Of the 12 restaurants among the Top 100 Independents that are located in Chicagoland, nine are in the city and three are in the suburbs. Two of those suburban restaurants—and three in the city—are operated by Gibsons Restaurant Group.

Want to get guests' attention? Check out some of these smart marketing moves.

These 100 restaurants brought in combined food and beverage revenues of more than $1.8 billion in 2016, with an average check of $68.26.

While it may not be all good news yet, these chains have plans in place that are starting to pay off.

From hyper-local promotions to customized freebies, savvy restaurateurs are finding new ways and new networks to build business. Check these out.