Fast-food trade publication QSR magazine has released a list of the industry’s most exciting new fast-casual brands.

Dubbed the 40/40, the list includes 40 rising star brands with less than 40 units. The list includes a handful of concepts from Orange and Los Angeles counties, including food-truck-turned seafood shack, Slapfish.

Criteria included restaurants with chef-driven menus, a focus on experience rather than value, enhanced beverage programs, use of high-quality and/or local ingredients, ambitions other than growth and profit and community involvement.

The list was segmented into four tiers, with Tier One dedicated to larger chains ready to break onto the national stage. Tier Four represented the smallest chains, in terms of units. Fast-casual is a segment tracked by fast-food industry consultants and market research firms. These chains offer counter-service in an environment considered fancier than drive-through fast food chains.

Mendocino Farms (Tier One): The Los Angeles-based chain, with 15 units, was called out for its sales strength at dinner, generating 40 percent of its business during the evening daypart. “Sandwich concepts don’t usually build out 3,000-square-foot spaces. Sandwich concepts don’t usually do over $3 million in average unit volume (or $2 million, or $1 million),” QSR stated.

In Orange County, Mendocino has locations in Irvine, Costa Mesa, Brea and Tustin (inside Whole Foods Market.)

Tender Greens (Tier One): The Los Angeles-based chain, with 24 units, was called out for having “relationships with local farmers.” The locally-sourced “slow food done fast” ethos is a “driving force for Tender Greens since it started 11 years ago,” QSR reported. In Orange County, Tender Greens has two locations in Irvine.

Dog Haus (Tier One): The Pasadena-based burger and sausage concept, which started in 2010, has 21 locations. “Hot dogs have long been a mainstay of concession stands, and even some chains like Wienerschnitzel have cornered the market in quick service, but Dog Haus’ fare raises the bar to a near gourmet level,” the magazine said. In Orange County, Dog Haus has locations in Santa Ana and Fullerton.

Lemonade (Tier One): The Los Angeles-based “California comfort food” brand has 27 locations. The company “considers itself a destination for seasonal food and refreshments.” In Orange County, it has locations in Newport Beach and Huntington Beach.

Slapfish (Tier Three): With eight locations, this Huntington Beach-based seafood concept was called out for making seafood affordable. The concept started as a food truck and is now on track to grow brick-and-mortar stores through franchising. In Orange County, Slapfish has locations in Huntington Beach, Irvine, Brea, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and San Clemente.

Other chains on the 40/40 list with locations in Orange County included Urban Plates, Luna Grill, Cava Grill and Hopdoddy Burger Bar.