Americans dine out at lunch an average of 1.4 times per week, according to R&I's 2007 Tastes of America Study—a figure that leaves plenty of room for improvement for Top 400 casual-dining chains.

Minneapolis-based Buca di Beppo, which rolled out lunch nationwide about a year ago, tempts diners to try the new daypart by offering free garlic-cheese bread and gelato cones between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. On the menu, choices include an Italian deli-meat wrap in pizza bread, an upgraded meatball sandwich and an Italian sausage hoagie. All are served with house-made potato chips and arugula-and-orzo salad.

Value proves to be a common theme among chain lunch debuts—along with speed, combinations and customization. At Irvine, Calif.-based Claim Jumper, $9.95 lunch specials such as Blackened Salmon Caesar Salad and Black Tie Pasta with Chicken were among the chain's most-popular introductions last year. Columbus, Ohio-based Brio Tuscan Grille found success with lunch plates priced between $10 and $15; selections include lunch-sized pizzas with salad or a crab cake paired with roasted vegetables.

Taylors, S.C.-based Fatz Cafe's Create-Your-Own-Combo lunch this year invites guests to make two choices from among half-sandwiches, soups and salads, all served with fries or a baked potato and priced attractively at $5.99. Another midday addition is the Angus Beef Slider Tower (l.), which holds three mini cheeseburgers and fries.

Meanwhile, the Bottom- less Express Lunch from Dallas-based Chili's delivers unlimited refills of soup, salad, and house-made chips and salsa.