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There’s a land rush under way in the fast-casual industry, with restaurateurs nationwide frantically trying to grab a piece of this fast-growing segment. Just how fast is it growing? According to Technomic, eight of the ten fastest-growing chains in America (with sales of at least $2 million) are of the order-at-the-counter, wait-a-minute-while-your-food-is-made-fresh variety.
“Fast-casual growth continues to outpace that of quick and full service,” the Technomic website reports. “Though it’s still a small, emerging segment (comprising six percent of the restaurant industry) its influence is great. With origins in once-innovative concepts such as Fuddruckers and Koo Koo Roo and the ‘home meal replacement’ trend — as well as prime development seen in chains like Chipotle Mexican Grill, Panera Bread and Five Guys Burgers and Fries — the fast-casual sector has evolved and expanded. The old terminology ‘adult fast food’ is no longer an adequate definition.”
See also: – First look: The Slotted Spoon Meatball Eatery opens – Denver’s five best homegrown, fast-casual chains — from Noodles to Chipotle – Is there room for Korean food in the growing fast-casual sector?
Burritos, salads, noodles, burgers and even Korean restaurants have already staked a claim here in Colorado. Now Alex Comisar, Johnny Coast and chef Jensen Cummings have joined the frenzy with a new (for Denver, at least) concept: meatballs.
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Find out what kind of territory they’ve carved out with their hand-rolled pork, beef, chicken, salmon and veggie balls when my review of Slotted Spoon Meatball Eatery is posted here tomorrow.
And in the meantime, if you were starting a new fast-casual restaurant, what would your concept be?
