fast casual

or fast-cas·u·al

[ fast-kazh-oo-uhl ]

adjective

1. noting or relating to a restaurant that does not have table service but offers made-to-order food that is of higher quality than fast food:

   fast casual dining; a fast casual spot for fresh, authentic burritos.

fast casual

noun

1. a style of fast food involving healthier, fresher, and more varied dishes than traditional fast food, served in more attractive surroundings

Word History and Origins

Origin of fast casual¹

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

Sweetgreen, the fast casual salad chain popular with yuppie workaholics, is becoming less of a source for sad desk salads and more of a weekend outing during the pandemic.

From Quartz

From traditional Thai to healthy fast casual to wood-fired pizza, here are the best places to eat in Utah’s most famous ski town.

From Eater

From the beginning, Rick Wetzel, co-founder of both companies, said he viewed fast-casual as the best way to position Blaze.

From The Daily Beast

Lexington, Kentucky–based A&W Restaurants is tossing its hat into the fast-casual and better burger segment later this year.

From The Daily Beast