This year, the 7th publication of Fast Casual Top 100, is taking things in a different direction to determine who would make the list. In the past top 100s, concepts of fast casual restaurants were the main focus, leaving out some very important factors that make these fast casual restaurants so popular. Now trends and technologies have been added into the mix to complete the final Fast Casual Top 100 list. Hopefully with this new method, showcasing the restaurants will provide a better reflection on fast casual.
This infographic displays the highest of the top 100 for restaurants, innovations, technologies and trends. The growing popularity of gluten-free food options in restaurants is becoming more appealing to customers with gluten sensitivities. This has made them be at the top of menu innovations for 2012.
Now incorporating a more social aspect, the fast casual industry is poised for phenomenal growth in 2012. They do this by branching out through social media. Even within the businesses themselves, things are changing. The way employees are trained and hired and the way communication between customers and employees happen are becoming much more efficient and modern.
The whole fast casual business is evolving with the influx of all these new technologies and systems. With a prediction of over 1 billion smartphone users by 2015, restaurants are taking it and running with it. They are using it to their benefit by connecting with their customer-on-the-go audience to better attract and meet the needs of their consumer base. I know many years ago we never thought we could order our dinner off of our cell phones so you never know what fast casual will have in store for us next. Be sure to check out this infographic to learn more about the top restaurant chains, people, technologies and trends in the fast casual segment.
2012 Fast Casual Top 100 [Infographic]
Download the full Fast Casual Top 100
Compliments of FastCasual.com
