fast casual

American

[fast-kazh-oo-uhl] / ˈfæstˈkæʒ u əl /

Or fast-casual

adjective

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 British

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of fast casual

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As fast food and fast casual felt less affordable, casual dining started to look competitive again.

From Barron's • Dec. 28, 2025

And when young people stop spending, fast casual feels it first.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 30, 2025

“For me seeing a rainbow Chipotle bag does nothing,” said Joseph Pineda, referring to the fast casual burrito chain’s collection of Pride merchandise.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2023

Head to the coffee shop or fast casual lunch spot and you'll encounter compostable to-go bowls, paper coffee cups lined with something or other, plastic iced coffee cups, plastic cutlery, plastic water bottles and more.

From Salon • Jan. 2, 2023

I tasted a delicious salmon infused with a flavorful teriyaki sauce at the Vale Food Co. in Miami, a healthy, fast casual restaurant.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 17, 2022

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023