LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Fast Casual magazine and FastCasual.com have released the "2009 Fast Casual State of the Industry Report."
The 73-page comprehensive study provides results of an in-depth survey of 150 fast casual executives about industry trends, tools and techniques. The report features more than 110 data sets/charts summarizing key findings in the fast casual segment. Findings include:
- Nearly 47 percent of operators plan to start other fast casual concepts.
- Nearly 55 percent of operators expressed concern about QSRs entering the fast casual marketplace.
- More than 40 percent of operators spend 4 percent to 5 percent of gross sales on marketing efforts.
In addition, industry leaders, including Brian Hill of Pitney Bowes MapInfo and Steve Kartonchik, of ADFLOW Networks, provide analysis and commentary on the findings.
Paul Barron, chairman of the Fast Casual Executive Alliance and publisher of Fast Casual magazine, said the fast casual industry continues to rise in popularity even as it faces the challenges of a tough economy.
"Consumer demand has driven everyday restaurants to a new level of quality and service that rivals that of fine dining, but diners want the experience for a lot less money," Barron said. "The fast casual segment delivers this in a big way."
Over the past two years, restaurants have paid attention to fast casual as a service model. Quick-service chains such as McDonald's have changed their interior designs, and family-dining chains such as Denny's are looking to launch fast casual concepts.
Click here for more information about this data-filled report.
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