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Top 100: Menu Trends – Organic/grass-fed/hormone-free

Organic/grass-fed/hormone free is number three on our list of the 2014 Top 100 Fast Casual Movers and Shakers: Menu Trends.

December 30, 2014

Organic/grass-fed/hormone free is number three on our list of the 2014 Top 100 Fast Casual Movers and Shakers: Menu Trends.

Terms such as "organic," "grass-fed" and "hormone-free" are becoming more important for consumers each year. With more people caring where their meals originate, fast casual concepts that develop accordingly are finding greater success. Elevation Burger, sweetgreen and Chipotle, are three examples. Chipotle uses organic and local produce when possible as well as meat and dairy from animals that are free from antibiotics or added hormones, and Elevation prides itself on cooking its fries in heart-healthy olive oil and offering a variety of fresh toppings, including 6-month-aged, unprocessed cheddar cheese, organic bacon, caramelized onions, mushrooms, hot pepper relish and balsamic mustard.

BurgerFi, a fast casual burger concept out of Florida, promotes the fact that the company sells only grass-fed, never frozen beef. The natural Angus beef sold to BurgerFi customers is free of antibiotics, hormones and additives, providing a more healthful and flavorful beef.

What these concepts are figuring out is today's consumers like to splurge every once in a while, but providing high-quality, better-for-you meals brings customers back day after day.