article thumbnail

[Data] Fast Casual Restaurant Trends: Sales and Labor

7 Shifts

Coming out of 2020, few restaurant types were better prepared for the new normal than quick service and fast casual. They had streamlined menus, more digital presence than their full-service counterparts, and dining rooms weren't an integral part of the fast casual experience. Fast Casual Labor Numbers. hours in 2021 to 76.13

article thumbnail

Five Casual Dining Design Trends Worth Replicating

Modern Restaurant Management

By July 2021, OpenTable reported that reservations had returned to normal after plunging by two-thirds during the pandemic. If you happen to own a casual dining establishment, it’s even better: The global fast casual restaurants market is expected to grow by $186.27 And things are only looking up for the industry.

Casual 202
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Trending Sources

article thumbnail

How Restaurants Can Remain Competitive in 2021

7 Shifts

We’re not talking about just surviving the pandemic—but thriving through 2021 and beyond, and setting new standards. For fast-casual and quick-service restaurants—no more lines. Through it all, we emerge from the year as an industry in evolution—and our restaurants need to evolve with it. Keep communication open and frequent.

2021 370
article thumbnail

Restaurant Experts’ 2021 Outlook, Part Two

Modern Restaurant Management

Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine asked restaurant industry experts for their opinions on what we can expect in 2021. And three, above all, we see the need for digital marketing automation continuing and growing into 2021 and beyond. In 2021, we will see a dip in customer satisfaction. Here are their responses.

2021 229
article thumbnail

How Fast-Casual Marketers Can Prepare for 2022 Dine-in Traffic

Modern Restaurant Management

Smart QSR and fast casual chains like Chipotle and Shake Shack reconfigured their strategies to lean heavily into delivery apps, digital ordering, and loyalty programs. So, what can marketers of fast casuals do to bring people back to their brick-and-mortar locations? million members in its loyalty program as of October 2021.

article thumbnail

MRM Research Roundup: End-of-May 2021 Edition

Modern Restaurant Management

In addition to the emergence of indoor dining, it explores rising competition between fast food and fast casual restaurant brands with COVID restrictions loosening. The data finds consistent consumer behavior across both restaurant categories signalling the distinctions between fast food and fast casual restaurants are quickly evaporating.

2021 185
article thumbnail

Casual Dining Chains Are Back, Baby

EATER

| John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images Once shunned by millennials, “uncool” chains are gearing up for a comeback For years, millennials were blamed for the death of the casual chain restaurant. Applebee’s saw massive sales growth in 2021 and 2022. The same growth is happening at other chains, too.

Casual 103