Even though he owned a pizza restaurant and was the CFO of an accounting firm, Alexander C. Lim couldn't help but feel bothered by an epicurean vacuum in his Texas community—what he called a "lack of fast, quality Japanese cuisine." So he completely switched gears, quitting his job to found Avocado California Roll & Sushi.

Clearly, his neighbors agreed that Avocado's tasty sushi rolls and pan-fried noodles were missing from their lives as the restaurant now has locations throughout Texas and one in Louisiana. Alexander hopes that one day, Avocado will be considered the McDonalds of Japanese restaurants.