Fast-casual barbecue is heating up

The Associated Press: Fast-casual barbecue might be a segment on the upswing. Ron Paul, president of Technomic, a Chicago food service industry research and consulting firm, said the fast-casual concepts could be a welcome alternative to the typical full-service barbecue restaurants where wait times can be twice as long. But within the industry, there's only a handful fast-casual players. 

 

"Fast-casual barbecue is one of the most underserved restaurant categories there is," said Roland Dickey, president of Dallas-based Dickey's Barbecue Pit.