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.

Chipotle shares have fallen more than 37% over the past year, and they are not the only fast casual company to struggle in the stock market.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026

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

From Barron's • Dec. 28, 2025

In 2008, fast casual made up just 6% of the restaurant industry.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 30, 2025

Bowl eating is a subset of fast casual meals, which are increasingly popular in the American work week diet.

From Salon • Feb. 24, 2024

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