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‘Repurposed Spaces Offer Three Key Advantages for a Fast-Casual Brand: Cost, Time, and Customers.’

Modern Restaurant Management

With big-box retailers closing up shop, more than 140 million square feet of desirable retail space has become available, presenting the opportunity for restaurants such as fast-casual concepts to expand their businesses. In more recent years, there's been a wider adoption of fast-casual concepts.

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The Marketing Value Combo: The Most Important Deal for Fast Casual Restaurants to Perfect in 2025

Modern Restaurant Management

For fast casual chains, competition includes usual suspects like casual dining and QSRs as well as c-stores and grocery chains who are ramping up foodservice offerings to capitalize on the trading down trend. Sitting in a pricing sweet spot, FCRs have an opportunity to win share from both QSRs and casual restaurants.

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Top Three Reasons Why Multi-Unit Operators Should be Looking at Fast Casual Brands to Expand their Portfolio in the Restaurant Industry

Modern Restaurant Management

According to a study conducted by Technavio , the fast casual restaurant industry will witness a compound annual growth rate of over 12 percent from now until 2026. I believe that fast casual continues to be a great place for savvy multi-unit restaurant franchisees to diversify. Here are three reasons why.

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Downturn Dining Trends: Loyalty, Value, and Menu Innovation Are Key for Survival

Modern Restaurant Management

Fast food and casual dining are currently seeing higher traffic. With dining out becoming more of an occasional treat, it's very important that guests have a great experience – whether that's at an upmarket restaurant or a fast food outlet. When they do eat out, they're often choosing cheaper options.

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Traditional taco concepts crumble, while unconventional Mexican fast casuals find the secret sauce

Restaurant Business

Burrito-and-bowl chains Chipotle and Qdoba have long led the fast-casual category. Here are the rising taco-focused brands that saw growth last year.

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Best Practices for Fast-Casual Restaurants Evaluating Labor and Supply Chain Issues

Modern Restaurant Management

If you’re involved in any aspect of the Fast Casual category, you don’t need me to tell you that labor and distribution issues are real. The pre-pandemic fast-casual “chicken war” and the pandemic race to add chicken wings to menus, are good examples of putting many eggs in one basket.

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MRM EXCLUSIVE: Personalized Promotions Must Line the Loyalty Path

Modern Restaurant Management

“AI should be introduced where it adds the most value—fast food and fast casual restaurants can benefit from kiosks and automated ordering, while full-service restaurants should focus on enhancing hospitality and personal service rather than automation,” said Fink.

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