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
Karen Robinson-JacobsNot 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
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
Tim Carman
Examples of fast-casual in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Green Grill opened at 1020 16th St., Suite 17, in midtown Sacramento on May 15, the fast-casual eatery announced on its Instagram page.
—Hanh Truong, Sacramento Bee, 22 May 2024
In the 2010s, the seafood chain was competing with fast-casual restaurants such as Chipotle Mexican Grill and Panera Bread.
—Mariyam Muhammad, The Enquirer, 20 May 2024
Like his other locations, this one will offer a fast-casual setting where customers can buy the artisanal New York, Detroit, Sicilian and Grandma style pizzas by the slice or whole pie.
—Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 17 May 2024
Some of the concepts tend to feel dated, compared to more affordable, contemporary fast-casual brands like Chipotle, Tender Greens and Shake Shack.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2024
If Sweetgreen’s success with Infinite Kitchen is any indication, fast-casual chains are surely more likely to start putting more trust into robot counterparts.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 13 May 2024
The fast-casual chain will introduce a new line of drinks including Blueberry Lavender Lemonade, Pomegranate Hibiscus Tea, Citrus Punch, and a Tropical Green Smoothie as part of a menu overhaul initially announced in February.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 8 May 2024
Cava Cava is a fast-casual Mediterranean food chain.
—Alexandra Maloney, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2024
After months of warnings and several lawsuits, health-adjacent fast-casual eatery Panera is finally discontinuing its line of Charged Lemonade drinks.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 7 May 2024
Hanh Truong, Sacramento Bee, 22 May 2024
In the 2010s, the seafood chain was competing with fast-casual restaurants such as Chipotle Mexican Grill and Panera Bread.
—Mariyam Muhammad, The Enquirer, 20 May 2024
Like his other locations, this one will offer a fast-casual setting where customers can buy the artisanal New York, Detroit, Sicilian and Grandma style pizzas by the slice or whole pie.
—Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 17 May 2024
Some of the concepts tend to feel dated, compared to more affordable, contemporary fast-casual brands like Chipotle, Tender Greens and Shake Shack.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2024
If Sweetgreen’s success with Infinite Kitchen is any indication, fast-casual chains are surely more likely to start putting more trust into robot counterparts.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 13 May 2024
The fast-casual chain will introduce a new line of drinks including Blueberry Lavender Lemonade, Pomegranate Hibiscus Tea, Citrus Punch, and a Tropical Green Smoothie as part of a menu overhaul initially announced in February.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 8 May 2024
Cava Cava is a fast-casual Mediterranean food chain.
—Alexandra Maloney, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2024
After months of warnings and several lawsuits, health-adjacent fast-casual eatery Panera is finally discontinuing its line of Charged Lemonade drinks.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 7 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fast-casual.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near fast-casual
Cite this Entry
“Fast-casual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fast-casual. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
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