1851

<div id="pastingspan1"><span style="">Fast-casual restaurants&#8212;concepts that have no full table service but concentrate on providing higher quality food&#8212;have become a predominate force in the restaurant industry. A report from global information company <a href="https://www.npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/news/press-releases/2016/fast-casual-restaurant-chains-continue-to-grow-in-units-and-customer-visits/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fast-casual-restaurants-have-become-the-dominant-concept-in-franchising-4434" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The NPD Group</a> found that not only are the number of fast-casual units growing, but so are the number of people visiting them.</span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style=""><br /></span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style="">The number of fast-casual restaurants grew 5 percent in 2015 to 19,043 units. And some of the biggest brands leading the charge are <a href="http://franchise.yourpie.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fast-casual-restaurants-have-become-the-dominant-concept-in-franchising-4434" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Your Pie</a>, <a href="http://www.mooyahfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fast-casual-restaurants-have-become-the-dominant-concept-in-franchising-4434" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MOOYAH Burgers, Fries &amp; Shakes</a>, <a href="https://pitapitusa.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fast-casual-restaurants-have-become-the-dominant-concept-in-franchising-4434" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pita Pit</a>, <a href="http://www.chipotle.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fast-casual-restaurants-have-become-the-dominant-concept-in-franchising-4434" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chipotle</a>, <a href="https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/company/franchise-overview.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fast-casual-restaurants-have-become-the-dominant-concept-in-franchising-4434" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Panera Bread</a> and <a href="https://www.pandaexpress.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fast-casual-restaurants-have-become-the-dominant-concept-in-franchising-4434" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Panda Express</a>, all of which offer customers the same perks of a quick-service restaurant brand, but in a more casual, sit-down experience with higher-quality, elevated meals. </span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style=""><br /></span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style="">&#8220;There has been significant unit growth in the fast casual category over the past several years, and it hasn&#8217;t reached a saturation point since traffic is still increasing,&#8221; said <span style="">NPD Foodservice Director of Product Management Greg Starzynski</span>.  &#8220;This would indicate that there is room for more growth for the fast casual category into the foreseeable future.&#8221;</span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style=""><br /></span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style="">One of the reasons why fast-casual restaurants have been successful is because they are offering consumers better food. Your Pie tosses their own dough and only uses fresh ingredients and homemade pizza sauce. And <a href="http://mooyah.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fast-casual-restaurants-have-become-the-dominant-concept-in-franchising-4434" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MOOYAH</a> offers mouthwatering made-to-order burgers and bakes its buns in-house daily.  Many fast-casual restaurants also give consumers the opportunity to customize their meals. Brands like <a href="http://yourpie.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fast-casual-restaurants-have-become-the-dominant-concept-in-franchising-4434" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Your Pie</a> and Pita Pit provide a build-your-own meal option, which provides freedom for a guest to choose exactly what they want, as opposed to picking from a one-size-fits-all menu.</span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style=""><br /></span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style="">But one of the most important components to fast-casual success is the level of service it offers its guests. Because fast-casual restaurants do not have a wait staff, they are able to concentrate on providing fresh, quality food in a timely manner the moment an order comes through. </span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style=""><br /></span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style="">Elliot Jablonksy, research and development chef for <a href="http://ownabuffalo.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fast-casual-restaurants-have-become-the-dominant-concept-in-franchising-4434" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings</a> and a veteran of the restaurant industry, said consumers are gravitating toward fast casual concepts because it combines the best of both worlds<span style="">&#8212;great food served at QSR speeds.</span></span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style=""><br /></span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style="">&#8220;Consumer are eating out with more frequency and they want to stretch out their dollars as much as they can,&#8221; Jablonsky said. &#8220;Fast-casual restaurants offer them the reassurance that they won&#8217;t have to pay extra for table service and all their hard earned money is going back to providing delicious and quality food.&#8221;</span></div>

1851 Franchise

Consumers are eating out more, and they’re gravitating toward fast-casual concepts because of the quality food and quality atmosphere they offer. 

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

How Fast-Casual Restaurants Have Become the Dominant Concept in Franchising  

how-fast-casual-restaurants-have-become-the-dominant-concept-in-franchising

Seniors Helping Seniors®

Photo of two people sitting together, holding mugs, smiling at each other

Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Care Services Expands to St. George, UT

seniors-helping-seniors-in-home-care-services-expands-to-st-george-ut

Mosquito Hunters

Design with Mosquito Hunters, Pest Hunters, and Humbug Holiday Lighting branded vehicle

Scaling the Rockies: Brad Goins’ Remote Success With Pest Hunters-Mosquito Hunters-Humbug Holiday Lighting in Colorado

remote-franchise-ownership-success-pest-hunters-mosquito-hunters-humbug-lighting

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® and TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK® Celebrate Franchise Success at Annual Conference

two-men-and-a-truck-and-two-men-and-a-junk-truck-celebrate-franchise-success-at-annual-conference

USA Ninja Challenge

How Dale Grant Used Three Decades of Gymnastics Expertise to Build USA Ninja Challenge

how-dale-grant-used-three-decades-of-gymnastics-expertise-to-build-usa-ninja-challenge

Preservan

Preservan Celebrates First-Ever BrightPath Gathering: Lighting the Way for Community and Sustainability

preservan-celebrates-first-ever-brightpath-gathering-lighting-the-way-for-community-and-sustainability

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs To Retire in 2026 After 36 Years With the Company

yum-brands-ceo-david-gibbs-to-retire-in-2026-after-36-years-with-the-company

Hooters Bankruptcy - Chapter 11 - April 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Files for Bankruptcy, Sells Restaurants to Franchisee Group

hooters-bankruptcy-chapter-11-april-2025

Fly Dance Fitness Expands With First Franchise Location in Georgia

fly-dance-fitness-franchise-expansion

&pizza - Fast-Casual Pizza Chain Begins Franchising - 1851 Franchise

&pizza Embraces Franchising To Fuel Bold New Growth Strategy

andpizza-franchising-ceo-mike-burns

CFOs See Recession as Likely in ’25; Why Now Is the Time To Water the Franchise Buyer Seeds

cfos-see-recession-as-likely-in-25-why-now-is-the-time-to-water-the-franchise-buyer-seeds

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

1851 Agg - McDonald's Sales Decline Expansion Continues - 1851 Franchise

McDonald’s Franchisees Feel the Pressure as Sales Decline and Expansion Continues

mcdonalds-franchisees-feel-the-pressure-as-sales-decline-and-expansion-continues

Design with hundred dollar bill and orange "recession" banner across the middle

ABC News: Recession Risks Are Rising, Economists Say. Here’s What to Know.

recession-risks-impact-economy-franchise-world

Franchise Deep Dive: Studio Pilates Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

franchise-deep-dive-studio-pilates-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Florida Franchisee Reflects on Success and Growth with Sylvan Learning

florida-franchisee-reflects-on-success-and-growth-with-sylvan-learning

The Top Quick Service Restaurant Franchises for 2025

the-top-quick-service-restaurant-franchises

Top 25 Emerging Restaurant Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Top 25 Emerging Restaurant Concepts to Consider in 2025

top-emerging-restaurant-concepts-to-consider

Military Veteran and Craft Beer Enthusiast to Bring Voodoo Brewing Co. to Toledo, Ohio

military-veteran-and-craft-beer-enthusiast-to-bring-voodoo-brewing-co-to-toledo-ohio

How Fast-Casual Restaurants Have Become the Dominant Concept in Franchising

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS