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
Hotel Yellowstone is a serene, adults-only property that just opened last year, and The Virginian Lodge is a family-friendly option with an outdoor pool, fire pits, and a fast-casual burger joint.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 28 July 2025
These regions have strong demographics and rising interest in fast-casual dining.
—Gary Occhiogrosso, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
The popular, fast-casual Italian restaurant based in Lexington has a new location planned at 552 E. Market St. inside The Gateway to NuLu building, according to a noticed according to a notice filed with Louisville Alcohol Beverage Control.
—Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 26 July 2025
The fast-casual teriyaki restaurant announced on July 3 that owners Daniel Takata and Jennifer Joo have sold the restaurant and will not operate it by next Thursday, July 31, according to a Facebook post from the business.
—Irene Adeline Milanez, Sacbee.com, 26 July 2025
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Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 28 July 2025
These regions have strong demographics and rising interest in fast-casual dining.
—Gary Occhiogrosso, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
The popular, fast-casual Italian restaurant based in Lexington has a new location planned at 552 E. Market St. inside The Gateway to NuLu building, according to a noticed according to a notice filed with Louisville Alcohol Beverage Control.
—Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 26 July 2025
The fast-casual teriyaki restaurant announced on July 3 that owners Daniel Takata and Jennifer Joo have sold the restaurant and will not operate it by next Thursday, July 31, according to a Facebook post from the business.
—Irene Adeline Milanez, Sacbee.com, 26 July 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 6 Aug. 2025.
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