Article

Fast casual restaurants gear up for the holidays

Fast casuals across the nation are gearing up for the holidays this year with delectable dinners and treats for their adoring customers.

November 20, 2005

Fast casuals across the nation are gearing up for the holidays this year with delectable dinners and treats for their adoring customers. "Our nation's restaurants have become an integral part of the Holiday tradition. Restaurants provide holiday dishes that give Americans the opportunity to spend less time in the kitchen and more time together with family and friends over the holiday," said Steven C. Anderson, the National Restaurant Association's president and chief executive officer."This year, instead of cooking dinner, I'm taking my grandkids sledding and then we're coming back to make gingerbread houses. When it's time for dinner, all I have to do is heat up the big turkey dinner prepared by none other than Boston Market," says Ruth Stinsel of Vail, Colo. According to a study commissioned by the National Restaurant Association, 53 percent of Americans supplement their Holiday meals with ready-to-eat take-out items. And leading market research firm The NPD Group says one out of three households won't cook any of their Holiday meal this year. Americans ages 18 to 24 count for half of all people who get Holiday items to go.So, what are some of the leading fast casuals offering for Holiday meals this year?Razoo's Cajun Cafésin Texas are serving up Cajun fried turkeys again this Holiday. These big 15 pound birds are injected with Razoo's special marinade, rubbed with spices and deep friend for moist succulent, non-greasy turkey that customers can wow their friends with. For only $49.95 these birds will feed a whopping crowd of 12. To round out the meal, Razoo's offers sides in two sizes: a pint that feeds two to three people for $3.99 and a quart that'll feed four to six for $6.99 – choose from their signature Smokey Rice & Beans, Dirty Rice, Mashed Potatoes, Andouille Sausage Cajun Cream Gravy, and Green Beans.Boston Marketis back with the Boston Market "Complete Holiday Banquet," which includes everything you need for your holiday meal. There are a variety of banquet menus from which to choose. The "Complete Holiday Whole Turkey Banquet" serves 12 and includes spinach artichoke dip, whole turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, cranberry walnut relish, two pies, and cornbread ($58.95, or $5.75 per person). Quite the deal! Boston Market also offers catering services complete with delivery and set up, as well as customized hot buffets.La Madeleine Bakery Café and Bistrois serving their "Take Home Holiday Feast" for $74.99 that serves six to eight. The ready to heat dinner includes herb roasted turkey breast, seven grain stuffing, red skinned mashers, green beans almondine, mushroom sauce, cranberry relish, sourdough breadsticks, and pecan tart or pumpkin pie.While deep frying whole turkeys isn't part of the their game, Panera Bread does offer a very good holiday bread made with sweet egg dough mixed with honey, golden raisins, and semi-sweet chocolate chips. It's then filled with chopped apples and cinnamon sugar, baked with a streusel topping and drizzled with icing. It's a perfect breakfast bread to serve out-of-town house guests Holiday morning while they watch the parades.Jason's Deliwith locations in 19 states says it's better to give and receive...they're doling out their new holiday cookie boxes with six freshly baked cookies to everyone that purchases $100 or more in Jason's Deli gift cards. They are also offering holiday appetizer trays; customers can choose from the Fresh Veggie Tray, the Shrimp Cocktail Tray, a Party Pinwheel Tray, or a Fruit Tray. These trays offer customers a no fuss way to tie over their dinner guests until the turkey comes out of the oven.Across the country, fast casuals are harnessing their customers' needs for more time by providing them with Holiday dinner essentials. While some customers can't imagine a Holiday void of the early morning cleaning of the bird and scents of sage and butter melting together in a pan or peeling potatoes in front of the TV while watching the parade, there are more than enough customers willing to get their dinners (or a few components thereof) from their favorite fast casual restauraunt.