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

The name of the restaurant comes from the name of a Lebanese dish, the primary one served at this fast-casual eatery. —Kaitlyn Rosati, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2025

And San Jose’s Sam and Curry offers a fresh take on the fast-casual dining trend with Chipotle-style bowls using classic Desi ingredients like saag and lentils. —Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2025

Originally Freehold had a vendor offering New York Style pizza, then chef Amaris Jones briefly moved her fast-casual chicken spot Chick’N Jones in. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2025

Founded in 2014, the fast-casual phenom has grown from a single location in Utah to a whopping 10 in that state — soon to be 13. —Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 16 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1995, in the meaning defined above