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
While fast-casual restaurants don't have a wait staff, servers generally carry food to tables.
—John Magsam, Arkansas Online, 16 June 2025
This is especially true as fast-casual chains like Taco Bell and McDonald’s increasingly offer value meals for consumers, further taking away market share from the frozen meals category, the analyst added.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 12 June 2025
Before the Arts Complex and Union Station locations, Nguyen began working on Little Finch (Olive & Finch’s fast-casual sister concept) on 16th Street back in 2021, long before the area’s multi-year renovation plan broke ground.
—Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 10 June 2025
By 1981, there were 100 Schlotzsky's locations, and its menu followed suit, moving beyond a one-sandwich wonder into a fast-casual lunch institution.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fast-casual
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John Magsam, Arkansas Online, 16 June 2025
This is especially true as fast-casual chains like Taco Bell and McDonald’s increasingly offer value meals for consumers, further taking away market share from the frozen meals category, the analyst added.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 12 June 2025
Before the Arts Complex and Union Station locations, Nguyen began working on Little Finch (Olive & Finch’s fast-casual sister concept) on 16th Street back in 2021, long before the area’s multi-year renovation plan broke ground.
—Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 10 June 2025
By 1981, there were 100 Schlotzsky's locations, and its menu followed suit, moving beyond a one-sandwich wonder into a fast-casual lunch institution.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 7 June 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 19 Jun. 2025.
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