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

Consumers have recoiled at price hikes or may be trading up to fast-casual kitchens like Chipotle and Cava. —Hope King, Axios, 25 Oct. 2024

The fast-casual Mexican restaurant is reviving five old menu items for a limited time starting on Oct. 31. —Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024

That’s considered a better situation than what Chipotle saw with multiple foodborne illnesses affecting the Mexican fast-casual restaurant for several years in the 2010s. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2024

Now in its 40th year — the business was founded in 1984 by Henry Mann — Anthony’s remains one of the most successful and longest-running food concepts in a state known for its fast-casual pioneering. —John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1995, in the meaning defined above