GITNUXREPORT 2025

Fast Casual Industry Statistics

Fast casual industry grows rapidly, emphasizing health, convenience, digital, sustainability.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Key Statistics

Statistic 1

65% of consumers prefer fast casual dining for healthier options

Statistic 2

The top reasons consumers choose fast casual are convenience, quality, and healthier options

Statistic 3

Millennials make up the largest demographic group frequenting fast casual restaurants

Statistic 4

45% of fast casual customers order through mobile apps

Statistic 5

The top three cuisines in the fast casual sector are Mexican, Asian, and American

Statistic 6

75% of consumers say they are willing to pay more for organic and locally sourced ingredients

Statistic 7

60% of fast casual customers visit at least twice a week

Statistic 8

Over 35% of fast casual customers have reported frequenting a restaurant based on social media reviews and recommendations

Statistic 9

The average age of consumers frequenting fast casual restaurants is 37 years old, indicating a mature customer base

Statistic 10

The most common price point for fast casual meals remains between $8 and $12, catering to middle-income consumers

Statistic 11

About 40% of fast casual consumers use loyalty apps to accumulate rewards and discounts

Statistic 12

80% of fast casual restaurants are sourcing more non-meat proteins like plant-based meats, reflecting changing consumer preferences

Statistic 13

The most popular fast casual breakfast items are breakfast burritos, breakfast sandwiches, and smoothie bowls

Statistic 14

55% of fast casual restaurant operators plan to expand their plant-based offerings in the next year

Statistic 15

The fast casual industry is expected to reach a market size of $264.7 billion by 2027

Statistic 16

Fast casual restaurants account for approximately 40% of the North American restaurant industry sales

Statistic 17

Over 50% of fast casual brands report increasing their digital ordering capabilities in 2023

Statistic 18

The fast casual segment has a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 10.7% from 2020 to 2027

Statistic 19

Digital orders account for about 30% of total sales in the fast casual industry

Statistic 20

The online ordering segment in fast casual grew by 60% year-over-year in 2022

Statistic 21

Fast casual industry employment is projected to grow by 8% over the next five years

Statistic 22

Franchise models constitute roughly 80% of the fast casual restaurant chain growth

Statistic 23

The number of fast casual locations globally is expected to reach over 28,000 by 2025

Statistic 24

Gluten-free menu options have increased by 40% in fast casual chains over the last five years

Statistic 25

80% of fast casual customer loyalty programs are digital, leading to increased customer retention

Statistic 26

The industry has seen a 25% rise in the use of contactless payment methods since 2021

Statistic 27

70% of fast casual brands have implemented or plan to implement some level of AI technology for operations or customer engagement

Statistic 28

The fastest-growing fast casual segment is ethnic cuisine, with a growth rate of over 12% annually

Statistic 29

Food delivery subscriptions for fast casual meals grew by 35% in 2022, indicating increasing customer loyalty and convenience

Statistic 30

72% of fast casual chain operators report increasing focus on health-conscious menu options in 2023

Statistic 31

The global vegan fast casual market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.8% through 2030

Statistic 32

The percentage of fast casual restaurants offering allergen-friendly menus has increased by nearly 50% since 2018

Statistic 33

The industry's employment growth is driven mostly by positions in kitchen staff and customer service roles, with a 12% increase projected over the next five years

Statistic 34

The average fast casual restaurant generates around $1.7 million in annual revenue

Statistic 35

The average size of a fast casual restaurant is approximately 2,300 square feet

Statistic 36

The average ticket size at a fast casual restaurant is around $10.50

Statistic 37

Sustainability initiatives have saved fast casual chains an average of 15% in operational costs

Statistic 38

The average wait time at fast casual restaurants has decreased to under 10 minutes, thanks to digital ordering and efficient service models

Statistic 39

The average profit margin for fast casual restaurants ranges between 6% and 9%

Statistic 40

The average customer spends 35 minutes per visit at fast casual restaurants, emphasizing convenience and efficiency

Statistic 41

Fast casual chains with a focus on sustainability have seen a 20% increase in customer loyalty

Statistic 42

The use of locally sourced ingredients has increased fast casual menu prices by an average of 8%

Statistic 43

Green building certifications are adopted by 15% of new fast casual restaurant constructions, improving environmental impact

Slide 1 of 43
Share:FacebookLinkedIn
Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

  • The fast casual industry is expected to reach a market size of $264.7 billion by 2027
  • Fast casual restaurants account for approximately 40% of the North American restaurant industry sales
  • The average fast casual restaurant generates around $1.7 million in annual revenue
  • 65% of consumers prefer fast casual dining for healthier options
  • Over 50% of fast casual brands report increasing their digital ordering capabilities in 2023
  • The fast casual segment has a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 10.7% from 2020 to 2027
  • The top reasons consumers choose fast casual are convenience, quality, and healthier options
  • Millennials make up the largest demographic group frequenting fast casual restaurants
  • The average size of a fast casual restaurant is approximately 2,300 square feet
  • Digital orders account for about 30% of total sales in the fast casual industry
  • 45% of fast casual customers order through mobile apps
  • Fast casual chains with a focus on sustainability have seen a 20% increase in customer loyalty
  • The average ticket size at a fast casual restaurant is around $10.50

The fast casual industry is booming, projected to reach $264.7 billion by 2027 with a remarkable 10.7% CAGR, as consumer preferences for healthier, convenient, and digitally connected dining experiences continue to drive growth across North America and beyond.

Consumer Preferences and Demographics

  • 65% of consumers prefer fast casual dining for healthier options
  • The top reasons consumers choose fast casual are convenience, quality, and healthier options
  • Millennials make up the largest demographic group frequenting fast casual restaurants
  • 45% of fast casual customers order through mobile apps
  • The top three cuisines in the fast casual sector are Mexican, Asian, and American
  • 75% of consumers say they are willing to pay more for organic and locally sourced ingredients
  • 60% of fast casual customers visit at least twice a week
  • Over 35% of fast casual customers have reported frequenting a restaurant based on social media reviews and recommendations
  • The average age of consumers frequenting fast casual restaurants is 37 years old, indicating a mature customer base
  • The most common price point for fast casual meals remains between $8 and $12, catering to middle-income consumers
  • About 40% of fast casual consumers use loyalty apps to accumulate rewards and discounts
  • 80% of fast casual restaurants are sourcing more non-meat proteins like plant-based meats, reflecting changing consumer preferences

Consumer Preferences and Demographics Interpretation

As fast casual continues to serve up convenience, quality, and healthier options—from vibrant cuisines and organic sourcing to mobile orders and plant-based proteins—it's clear that a mature, tech-savvy demographic of 37-year-olds is shaping a dining landscape where social media influence and willingness to pay a premium now define what "fast" truly means.

Food Offerings, Menu Innovations

  • The most popular fast casual breakfast items are breakfast burritos, breakfast sandwiches, and smoothie bowls

Food Offerings, Menu Innovations Interpretation

With breakfast burritos, sandwiches, and smoothie bowls reigning supreme, the fast casual industry clearly recognizes that busy mornings demand both convenience and a dash of culinary flair.

Food Offerings, Menu Innovations, and Technology Adoption

  • 55% of fast casual restaurant operators plan to expand their plant-based offerings in the next year

Food Offerings, Menu Innovations, and Technology Adoption Interpretation

With over half of fast casual operators gearing up to boost their plant-based options, it's clear that the industry is pivoting from "fast food" to "fast, plant-powered health" — defining the future one veggie burger at a time.

Industry Growth and Market Trends

  • The fast casual industry is expected to reach a market size of $264.7 billion by 2027
  • Fast casual restaurants account for approximately 40% of the North American restaurant industry sales
  • Over 50% of fast casual brands report increasing their digital ordering capabilities in 2023
  • The fast casual segment has a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 10.7% from 2020 to 2027
  • Digital orders account for about 30% of total sales in the fast casual industry
  • The online ordering segment in fast casual grew by 60% year-over-year in 2022
  • Fast casual industry employment is projected to grow by 8% over the next five years
  • Franchise models constitute roughly 80% of the fast casual restaurant chain growth
  • The number of fast casual locations globally is expected to reach over 28,000 by 2025
  • Gluten-free menu options have increased by 40% in fast casual chains over the last five years
  • 80% of fast casual customer loyalty programs are digital, leading to increased customer retention
  • The industry has seen a 25% rise in the use of contactless payment methods since 2021
  • 70% of fast casual brands have implemented or plan to implement some level of AI technology for operations or customer engagement
  • The fastest-growing fast casual segment is ethnic cuisine, with a growth rate of over 12% annually
  • Food delivery subscriptions for fast casual meals grew by 35% in 2022, indicating increasing customer loyalty and convenience
  • 72% of fast casual chain operators report increasing focus on health-conscious menu options in 2023
  • The global vegan fast casual market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.8% through 2030
  • The percentage of fast casual restaurants offering allergen-friendly menus has increased by nearly 50% since 2018
  • The industry's employment growth is driven mostly by positions in kitchen staff and customer service roles, with a 12% increase projected over the next five years

Industry Growth and Market Trends Interpretation

As fast casuals soar towards a $264.7 billion global horizon with a 10.7% CAGR fueled by booming digital orders, contactless payments, and a smorgasbord of health-conscious and ethnic options—highlighting a industry that’s not just fast, but fiercely adaptive.

Operational Metrics and Customer Behavior

  • The average fast casual restaurant generates around $1.7 million in annual revenue
  • The average size of a fast casual restaurant is approximately 2,300 square feet
  • The average ticket size at a fast casual restaurant is around $10.50
  • Sustainability initiatives have saved fast casual chains an average of 15% in operational costs
  • The average wait time at fast casual restaurants has decreased to under 10 minutes, thanks to digital ordering and efficient service models
  • The average profit margin for fast casual restaurants ranges between 6% and 9%
  • The average customer spends 35 minutes per visit at fast casual restaurants, emphasizing convenience and efficiency

Operational Metrics and Customer Behavior Interpretation

Fast casual restaurants are slicing through profit margins with $1.7 million in annual revenue on roughly 2,300 square feet, while savvy chains save 15% on costs through sustainability, serve $10.50 tickets in under 10 minutes, and keep customers waiting just half an hour—proof that fast, eco-friendly, and profitable can go hand in hand.

Sustainable Practices and Environmental Impact

  • Fast casual chains with a focus on sustainability have seen a 20% increase in customer loyalty
  • The use of locally sourced ingredients has increased fast casual menu prices by an average of 8%
  • Green building certifications are adopted by 15% of new fast casual restaurant constructions, improving environmental impact

Sustainable Practices and Environmental Impact Interpretation

Amid the rising call for sustainability, fast casual chains that prioritize eco-friendly practices and local sourcing are not only serving up greener options but also cultivating a more loyal, environmentally-conscious clientele—proof that doing good isn't just good for the planet, but also good for business.