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
The restaurant’s affordability, paired with the familiar fast-casual ordering concept, offers a low-stakes way for people who may not be familiar with Korean food to give it a try.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 22 July 2025
The only remnants of the once thriving fast-casual chain restaurant are the imprints of large block letters that hung on the façade of the building, and a single, unused rotisserie.
—Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 21 July 2025
The vibe at Inday’s is the opposite of its fast-casual compatriots.
—Tony Sachs, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
The fast-casual burrito chain will report results this Wednesday, and its shares could see a 6% move as a result.
—Lisa Kailai Han,nick Wells, CNBC, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fast-casual
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Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 22 July 2025
The only remnants of the once thriving fast-casual chain restaurant are the imprints of large block letters that hung on the façade of the building, and a single, unused rotisserie.
—Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 21 July 2025
The vibe at Inday’s is the opposite of its fast-casual compatriots.
—Tony Sachs, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
The fast-casual burrito chain will report results this Wednesday, and its shares could see a 6% move as a result.
—Lisa Kailai Han,nick Wells, CNBC, 21 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 25 Jul. 2025.
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