Among the chains that could experience major growth in the near future are the 60-restaurant Daphne's Greek Café of San Diego; Wilmington, NC-based Port City Java, which operates 70 stores; and the 180-unit, Seattle-based Taco Del Mar. Popular themes are fresh ingredients, international foods, tableside preparation and other attractions, Paul says.

Attendees at the conference, which ends Wednesday, also got to hear the expansion plans of some retailers and restaurant operators from company executives themselves. Fast-food chain Jack In the Box is expanding from a regional company to a national player. In 2002, the restaurant operator had units in 17 states, but it now runs them in 41 states.

The San Diego-based outfit will get the biggest growth out of its Qdoba Mexican Grill, which it bought in 2002, and plans to open 85 to 95 of those stores next year on top of the 250 it currently operates. The namesake restaurants, with nearly 2,050 units, are adding 45 to 55 this year. Quick Stuff, a newer concept which mixes a convenience store with a Jack In the Box restaurant, now has 44 locations and will grow by 13 to 15 this year.