Article

What's the state of the Fast Casual industry?

The Fast Casual State of the Industry analyzes several topics, including menu trends and workforce and business strategies.

October 23, 2013

There's been a lot of chatter among media and industry experts this year about why fast casual restaurants are thriving, while other dining segments, including QSR and casual dining, are falling behind. Although qualitative stories can help form a picture, it also takes quantitative data to specifically measure what's going on in the industry.

Realizing that the two go hand-in-hand, FastCasual.com has released its 2014 State of the Industry report that not only polls more than 400 fast casual restaurant operators on their business strategies, but also includes commentaries from six experts, weighing in on everything from marketing to technology.

The 59-page report, "Fast Casual State of the Industry 2014," delivers insights and actionable intelligence touching on topics ranging from workforce to business strategy, and from food and beverage trends to sales and marketing.

"The info in the report will give readers an inside look at what is going on in the industry and how their peers are running their businesses," said Cherryh Butler, senior editor of FastCasual.com.

Questions delve deep into specifics, including:

• Internal training strategies
• Employee turnover rates
• Average employee wages
• Customer service improvement plans
• Cost of goods sold
• Plans for new technologies
• Industry issues like menu restrictions, immigration reform, franchise law and others
• Limited-time offers and meal deals
• Sales by daypart
• Alternate ordering options
• And social media strategy

Read more about trends.