fast-casual

adjective

fast-ca·​su·​al ˈfast-ˈkazh-wəl 

-ˈka-zhə-wəl,

-ˈka-zhəl

variants or less commonly fast casual

: of, relating to, or being a restaurant that combines elements of fast-food service (such as counter ordering) with other elements (such as made-to-order food) that are typical of a full-service restaurant

The fast-casual restaurants typically offer fresh, hand-prepared burgers and fries in an atmosphere that might feature plush chairs and a fireplace but no kiddie playland.

—Karen Robinson-Jacobs

Not content to merely upgrade their menus, some chains are looking at overhauling their entire concept to match the fast-casual approach, whereby meals typically are prepared to order and there is limited table service.

—Julie Tamaki

fast-casual noun

or fast casual

plural fast-casuals or fast casuals

… fast-casuals became the darling of the last decade, driven in part by the effects of the Great Recession, skyrocketing rents and rising food costs.

—Tim Carman

Examples of fast-casual in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Lightspeed Commerce, another point-of-sale provider, said its fast-casual clients raised prices by an average 4.3% between September 2023 and September 2024, slower than fine dining restaurants’ 5.6% average hikes. —J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024

The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. On Veterans Day, many restaurants, coffee shops, fast-casual eateries and other food and drink establishments thank those who served with deals for veterans. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 5 Nov. 2024

The fast-casual burger spot Shake Shack closed nine underperforming restaurants in September, including five in the Los Angeles area. —Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024

Chain restaurants were squeezed between fast-casual eateries and home cooking as customers tightened their budgets. —Nathan Bomey, Axios, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1995, in the meaning defined above