Anecdotally, we are seeing some outstanding high-end market growth numbers

 Lynx has been keeping busy manufacturing hand-assembled grills and outdoor kitchens for cooks with lots of cash. The'pany has been making outdoor grills for 18 years, but lately has been on fire, reaching nearly $50 million in revenue last year."We had a record year for sales in 2013," Buch said, "and we're already heading to be 25 percent ahead of that in 2014. We're really in acceleration mode right now."The outdoor cooking industry hasn't fared nearly as well.In 2013, 13.9 million barbecue grills and smoking cookers were shipped in North America, the worst showing in 15 years, according to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association.But the affluent customer is fueling what industry watchers think is a'eback.

"Anecdotally, we are seeing some outstanding high-end market growth numbers," said Don Johnson, director of market research for the association. "And Lynx is a very high-end grill."The consumer with money to burn is Lynx's focus, with grills that cost from $1,750 to $7,700 for the most accessorized of outdoor kitchens."Our professional series grills are for people who are putting together a custom outdoor kitchen, where the outside has been transformed into an extension of the indoor living space," Buch said. "This would typically be a household i'e north of $250,000."
Daniel and Lisa Levin bought a Lynx grill for the 4,000 square foot dream house they built 11 years ago in Manhattan Beach, Calif.

Within the past year, the Levins added an outdoor fountain, outdoor refrigerator and fire pit. To go with it, they bought a Lynx grill that starts without extras around $5,100, with a 36-inch cooking surface."I love my Lynx," said Daniel Levin, 49, who works in talent management and licensing for the entertainment industry. Lisa Levin is a real estate agent who considers the grill a good investment.Lynx began 30 years ago as the Bar Equipment Corp. of America, making'mercial restaurant and bar equipment, Buch said. The'pany was renamed Lynx in 1996, after it made its first outdoor grill for residential use and began to phase out'mercial equipment.