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

Not 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

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

Examples of fast-casual in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The fast-casual chain is trying to recover from a rocky 2025, when traffic to its restaurants fell. — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

Chicken Salad Chick adds Olathe location Chicken Salad Chick, a fast-casual franchise that’s been popping up around the Kansas City metro, is opening a fourth location. — Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2026

Like his counterparts at Namkeen and Nishaan, Hassan was intentional in choosing the fast-casual format. — Maryam Jillani, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

Wingstop is a fast-casual national chain known for their chicken wings, fries and a cult following for their ranch. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1995, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fast-casual

• casual