Wish list: Here are 10 chain restaurants we’d love to see in Las Vegas

White Castle, check. Chick-fil-A, in the works. And now, Cracker Barrel is reportedly on its way to the Las Vegas Valley.

But while several chain restaurants either waded into Southern Nevada for the first time in 2015 or announced plans to do so, there's still plenty of room for expansion.

More than 20,700 food permits have been issued to eateries in the area, according to the Southern Nevada Health District — a nearly 11 percent increase from about 18,750 restaurants in 2013, the last full year of available data.

A Nevada Restaurant Association representative said that number should increase in 2016 as the economy improves and Las Vegans continue to invest money in the industry.

“It’s expanding exponentially, and there’s no reason to think we won’t keep growing,” said Tim Hacker, business development manager at the restaurant association.

With that in mind, here’s a wish list of franchise restaurants that would make our valley even richer in dining options in 2016:

• Culver's. The Wisconsin-based frozen custard and burger chain has more than 300 restaurants in 22 states, but Nevada isn’t one of them. The closest Culver’s to Las Vegas is 120 miles away, in St. George, Utah.

• Cook Out. A burger and shake joint based primarily in the South, Cook Out is the epitome of Southern fast food. With more than 170 stores across Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Tennessee, the Carolinas, Virginia and West Virginia, the chain is known for its wide range of milkshake combinations, its $5 fried chicken box meals and, of course, its sweet tea.

• Pizza My Heart. Known for its $6 special, featuring a slice of pizza and a Pizza My Heart T-shirt, this pizzeria boasts 23 locations across California.

• Whataburger. Is it fair that Las Vegans have to drive 100 miles to Kingman, Ariz., for a chance to eat at the nation’s top-rated burger chain, as listed by FastCompany? Probably not. The Texas-based restaurant has more than 1,000 stores in 10 states, but none in Nevada.

• Blue Bottle Coffee Co.. Blue Bottle has 23 locations across California, New York and as far away as Tokyo. Blue Bottle says it’s named after central Europe’s first coffee house, opened in Vienna in 1683, and gets its coffee to customers within 48 hours of roasting it.

• Bojangles Chicken ‘n Biscuits. "Bo's," as it's colloquially known, offers Southern-style menu items at 650 stores in 12 states and another three restaurants in Honduras.

• Potbelly Sandwich Works. The Chicago-based sub shop has more than 300 restaurants spread across 30 states and the nation’s capital, but none anywhere near Las Vegas. Among the reasons Potbelly has attracted fans: It promises a wait of no more than eight minutes for a sandwich.

• Roy Rogers. Could Roy Rogers ride again in Nevada? The Maryland-based chain built a following with its roast beef sandwiches, expanding to 50 locations. But they're all in the Eastern U.S., more than 2,000 miles away from where the actor built his legacy.

• Shakey’s Pizza Parlor. This Sacramento-based chain, which operates nearly 70 restaurants, boasts $5 lunch specials and more than 40 beers.

• Skyline Chili. The Skyline brand can be found in grocery stores across the country, but the restaurants themselves are limited to just over 100 stores in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Florida. It's a staple of on-the-go food for travelers on interstates 75 and 71.

What chain restaurants are on your wish list? Let readers know by posting a comment below.