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
In honor of the 20th anniversary of Crunchwrap Supremes, the fast-casual Mexican chain is releasing a mini version of the beloved menu item on Thursday, Feb. 27.
—Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 27 Feb. 2025
Zoom in: Edible Brands — parent of fruit basket franchiser Edible and fast-casual chain Roti — is contemplating hiring an investment bank to advise it, Silber says.
—Richard Collings, Axios, 27 Feb. 2025
The Mediterranean fast-casual chain is also murky about the future.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025
The fast-casual eatery specializes in colorful decor by local artists, and, of course, plump meets crispy chicken that burns your mouth to smithereens.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fast-casual
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Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 27 Feb. 2025
Zoom in: Edible Brands — parent of fruit basket franchiser Edible and fast-casual chain Roti — is contemplating hiring an investment bank to advise it, Silber says.
—Richard Collings, Axios, 27 Feb. 2025
The Mediterranean fast-casual chain is also murky about the future.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025
The fast-casual eatery specializes in colorful decor by local artists, and, of course, plump meets crispy chicken that burns your mouth to smithereens.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fast-casual
Cite this Entry
“Fast-casual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fast-casual. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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