Zagat ranks 10 restaurant power groups with U.S.-based chefs and at least 12 restaurants world wide. Fascinating picks!

One of them is in Virginia (hip hip for Jose Andres!), two in Maryland and three in DC, listed below.

See http://www.zagat.com/b/empire-ranking#8 for the full list of selections and the ranking criteria.

Lettuce Entertain You

Head honcho: Richard Melman

Main turf: Chicago, IL

Restaurants: 99 restaurants

Markets: Illinois/Chicago, Minneapolis, California, DC and Scottsdale, AZ

Average food score: 21.9

Profile: Operating close to 100 restaurants all across the country is nothing to sneeze at, and founder and CEO Richard Melman of the Chicago-based Lettuce Entertain You has over 60 partners helping him out, as well as his three kids. The group owns a wide range of restaurants from fine-dining concepts like L20 and Tru, to fast-casual chains like M Burger, Krispy Kreme and Big Bowl. For Melman, it all started with a single Chicago restaurant, a burger joint called RJ Grunt's, in 1971. Read up on the full family history here. 

Mina Group

Head honcho: Michael Mina

Primary turf: San Francisco

Restaurants: 20

Markets: Arizona, California, Nevada, DC, Florida, Maryland, Washington, Wyoming

Average food score: 25.2

Profile: SF-based chef Michael Mina began his career at age 22, on the day of the infamous 1989 earthquake that struck the Golden Gate City. Over 20 years later, his empire spans across the country, known mostly for his eponymous fine-dining concept, his popular Bourbon Steak restaurants, which are expanding by the minute, and the recently opened Michael Mina 74 in South Beach, Miami.

ThinkFoodGroup

Head honcho: Jose Andres

Primary turf: Washington, DC

Restaurants: 16 currently open

Markets: DC, LA, Las Vegas, Miami, Maryland, Virginia

Average food score: 25.4

Profile: The innovative Spanish-born chef known for his DC-based Jaleo and eclectic concept The Bazaar(LA, Vegas, Miami) now has 16 restaurants to his credit all over the country. As new SLS Hotels open, The Bazaar concept continues to grow, with rumors that the upcoming SLS Philly may have food offerings from the chef as well.