Mintel’s US Fast Casual Restaurants Market Report provides an in-depth analysis of the US market and consumer. Discover the market developments impacting consumer preferences and demands in the US fast casual restaurants market.
Key Insights In This Report:
- Changes in foodservice ordering
- Consumer perceptions of fast casual restaurants
- Fast casual menu and restaurant interests
- Fast casual restaurant satisfaction
- Fast casual ordering behaviors and attitudes
US Fast Casual Restaurant Market Outlook
Almost 80% of consumers are satisfied with fast casual restaurants overall, demonstrating their strength across the foodservice industry. With relatively stable traffic this year compared to the dips seen at full-service restaurants, fast casuals are in a good position to up the momentum by leveraging what they excel at (value, quality) and exploring more opportunities (healthy eating, loyalty programs) that consumers express interest in. Positioning themselves between being as affordable as QSRs and providing quality meals, similar to those at casual and upscale dining establishments, will help consumers see the value in the experiences they offer.
US Fast Casual Restaurants Consumer Trends and Opportunities
Menu innovations that hone in on the versatility of offerings and quality will appeal to those seeking a middle ground to justify dollars spent on eating out. Furthermore, loyalty rewards programs can strengthen consumer ties with brands, making them even more competitive with QSRs. Building engagement with patrons will help create more streamlined interactions, making the ordering experience more convenient and quick.
Purchase the full report for a complete overview of the US fast casual restaurant market, including consumer insights and innovation opportunities. Readers of this report may also be interested in Mintel’s US Future of Foodservice Report.
Report Scope
For the purposes of this report, Mintel has used the following definitions:
- Quick service restaurants – Used interchangeably with “fast food,” QSRs specialize in inexpensive, convenient meals with no waiter service, no alcoholic beverages and a low price point. Examples include: McDonald’s, KFC, Taco Bell, Wendy’s and Pizza Hut.
- Fast casual restaurants – These establishments are characterized by a higher price point than QSRs, though not as high as full-service restaurants. Fast casuals do not offer waiter service and may or may not serve alcohol. Examples include: Chipotle Mexican Grill, Panera Bread, Shake Shack and Blaze Pizza.
- Limited-service restaurants – LSRs provide food services, and customers usually select and order items and pay before dining. Food/drink may be consumed on the premises, offered as carryout or delivered to the customer’s location. These may also sell alcoholic beverages. LSRs include both QSRs and fast casual restaurants. The other category within LSRs snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars, cafeterias, grills and grill buffets.
- Full-service restaurants – FSRs have waiter/waitress service, and customers order and are served while seated. These may also sell alcoholic beverages and offer carryout services. They include the restaurant segments: family midscale, casual dining and fine dining.
Meet The Expert
This report was written by Pooja Lal. Pooja is an Analyst for US Foodservice and Mintel Menu Insights. She has over 5 years of experience working in Sales and Consumer Insights with CPG companies on both the Retail and Foodservice segments of the business. Pooja earned her Bachelors of Commerce degree from Saint Mary’s University in Nova Scotia, Canada. She is based in New York.
As the fast casual segment expands its footprint, consumers will look for differentiators of healthy menu options and loyalty program availability when dining out.
Pooja Lal
Research Analyst
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Executive Summary
- What you need to know
- What consumers want and why
- Market predictions
- Opportunities
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Market Dynamics
- Market context
- Market drivers
- Dining out is a negotiable expense
- Graph 1: household budget changes, 2024
- Minimum wage poses new challenges on the West Coast
- Sweetgreen is potentially at stakes with its new menu offering
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Consumer Insights
- Consumer fast facts
- Restaurant ordering
- LSR visitation trends display stability…
- Graph 2: restaurant ordering – dined in, 2024
- Graph 3: restaurant ordering – ordered takeout, 2024
- …but there is room for improvement
- Graph 4: fast casual ordering, 2023-24
- Younger Millennials, Gen Z leading fast casual visitation
- Graph 5: limited-service restaurant ordering, NET – any order, by generation, 2024
- Types of fast casual restaurants ordered from and frequency
- 1-3 times a month is a sweet spot for fast casual diners
- Graph 6: ordering frequency by fast casual types, 2024
- Mediterranean cuisine is becoming more attainable
- Graph 7: ordering frequency by fast casual types – NET – any usage, 2024
- Mediterranean chains are showing promise for the future
- Salad chains pick up the pace in 2024
- Younger consumers are seeking fresher fare on menus
- Graph 8: ordering frequency by fast casual types, by generation – NET – any usage, 2024
- Fast casual perceptions
- Consumers see fast casual’s value, but perceptions on quality could improve
- Graph 9: fast casual perceptions, 2024
- Is there a disconnect between convenience and on-the-go for younger generations?
- Graph 10: fast casual perceptions, by generation, 2024
- Urban storefronts are known for their transparency
- Graph 11: fast casual perceptions, by area, 2024
- Fast casual interests
- Health goals are obstructed by comfort
- Graph 12: fast casual interests, 2024
- Descriptive language can help grab attention
- Fast casuals have an opportunity to make healthy dining more exciting
- Graph 13: fast casual interests, by generation, 2024
- Urban consumers want accessibility in more ways than one
- Graph 14: fast casual interests, by area, 2024
- Fast casual restaurant satisfaction
- Fast casual consumers are pretty satisfied, but incentives can boost visitation
- Graph 15: fast casual restaurant satisfaction, 2024
- Do vegetarian menus need a glow up?
- Are fast casual desserts an area of opportunity?
- Fast casuals can look to other foodservice segments for inspiration
- Straight-forward ordering and quick pick-up options will be music Gen Zs’ ears
- Graph 16: fast casual restaurant satisfaction – NET satisfied, by generation, 2024
- Delivery is a doozy outside of cities
- Graph 17: fast casual restaurant satisfaction – NET satisfied, by area, 2024
- Fast casual behaviors
- Pave the path to more adventurous options on the menu
- The fast casual dinner is underdeveloped for younger consumers
- Graph 18: fast casual behaviors, by generation, 2024
- Fast casuals can seize more opportunities throughout the day
- Graph 19: fast casual behaviors, by work from home status, 2024
- Fast casuals can offer affordable luxury for dinner
- Graph 20: fast casual behaviors, by financial situation, 2024
- Fast casual attitudes
- Ordering ahead options can create a quicker path to purchase
- Graph 21: fast casual attitudes, 2024
- Are fast casuals meeting younger consumers where they are?
- Graph 22: fast casual attitudes, by generation, 2024
- Incentivize parents to stand out against competition
- Graph 23: fast casual attitudes, by parental status by gender, 2024
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Innovation and Marketing Trends
- Launch activity and innovation
- Fusion cuisine heats up the fast casual segment
- Its swicy season!
- Food menus find the balance between sweet and spicy, too
- Menus get refreshed with refreshers
- Marketing and advertising
- Fast casuals pick up their rewards game
- Naf Naf revamps the meaning of loyalty
- Panera gets behind one-swipe ordering
- Sweetgreen brings elevated fare to fast casual dining
- Brands leverage holidays and themes to build buzz
- Panda Express puts dessert on the menu end on a sweet note
- Opportunities
- Fast casuals have an opportunity embrace the new beverage era
- Graph 24: fast casual interests, by generation, 2024
- A spotlight on sustainability and community initiatives
- Restaurants are taking the plunge to remove seed oils
- Consumers are on the lookout for anti seed-oil options
- Buffalo Wild Wings goes from casual to fast casual
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Appendix
- Market definition
- Consumer research methodology
- Generations
- Abbreviations and terms
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