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5 Expectations for Fast-Casual Dining in 2018

  • Fast-casual dining

Fast-Casual Dining has become a staple in America over the past decade. Business are popping up everywhere, trying to convince people to stand in their counter line for a bite. From coffee to burgers, just about everything we can think of has become a fast-casual experience.

So, here’s 5 things we think will be directing fast-casual dining during 2018:

1. Value

First off, classic fast food restaurants (like Wendy’s) are catching on to the trendy “health” and “locally made” terminology that millennials love. This means the quality that has separated fast-casual restaurants from fast food in the past is becoming less distinct. Therefore, our non-drive-thru diners are going to have to compete by lowering costs.

2. Tech

Next, it’s no surprise that in 2018, tech in restaurants is expected to become a much bigger deal. In 2017 we saw some huge growth for the Coke FreeStyle machine. It’s a given that the success of tech-based experiences in restaurants across America is going to lead to some even bigger (or smaller) and better integrations of tech in fast-casual restaurants.

3. Health

For fast-casual, local and healthy is no longer unique. Now, more than the food on the plate, we have seen the beginnings of a rise in health drinks. From exotic spices to colorful fruit, fast-casual diners are separating themselves once again by venturing into the health drink universe.

4. Delivery

There have been a lot of advertisements for companies that are delivering food that you’d normally have to go pick up yourself. This is a huge concept for fast-casual experiences. Now, if the product is good enough, customers don’t have to wait in line. They can pay someone to do it for them. Easy food just got easier.

5. Speed

Lastly, fast-casual and fast-food are both dedicated to providing service quickly, but drive-thrus are retaining the benefit of speed, and counter service based eateries are going to have to keep up in 2018. When someone needs the fastest bite possible, there’s no doubt they’ll choose a Wendy’s or an Arby’s over Chipotle or Piada — after all, the lines are automotive.

Overall, there is a lot of potential for fast-casual to continue to grow its customer base. Being competitive with its value, tech, health, delivery, and speed throughout 2018 will be crucial. At AccuPOS, we know how important it is for business owners to keep up with the current trends in the restaurant biz, and that’s why we are committed to staying up-to-date with you and helping you to save time so that you can focus on those big questions that will lead your business down a path of success.

For more info on how we do just that, check out our blog post on the highlights of our most recent Software Update, and 6 Ways Accupos Is A Time-Saver For Business Owners.

By |2019-07-09T09:23:37-04:00April 11th, 2018|Business & Lifestyle|