Restaurant operators continue to face challenges caused by the recession and slow pace of the ensuing recovery, with cost pressures and declines in consumer dining making growth difficult to sustain. Fast-casual chains seem perfectly positioned for the prevailing economic and social climate.

The category continued to outpace the restaurant industry as a whole in 2010, with the top 100 fast-casual chains growing 6 percent to nearly $18.9 billion, a faster rate than in 2009. Total units grew 3.9 percent to 15,827, which is slightly slower than the prior year, but still faster than any other dining segment.

Technomic's 2011 Top 100 Fast-Casual Chain Restaurant Report provides rankings, analysis, and profiles of the leading chains and helps chain operators and foodservice suppliers understand emerging trends and players in today's fastest-growing segment.

Select findings include:

• The Mexican menu category overtook bakery cafe/bagel restaurants as the most prevalent type of fast-casual restaurant in the top 100 last year. Bakery cafes did, however, continue to lead all menu categories in terms of total U.S. system wide sales in 2010, driven primarily by its largest player, Panera Bread.
• The fastest growing menu categories for the top 100 fast-casual chains were "Better Burger" (up 16.1 percent), Asian/noodle (up 10.1 percent), and Mexican (up 9 percent).
• Fast-casual menus are differentiating themselves through adult beverages. While they still have more room to grow, beer, wine, or spirits are now sold in nearly 40 percent of fast-casual chains.  
• Panera Bread remained the sales leader among all fast-casual chains, with 2010 sales nearly over $2.9 billion, a 4.3 percent increase from 2009. Its U.S. units increased 5.5 percent to 1,376.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill held onto the number two spot, growing sales a whopping 20.7 percent to $1.8 billion and units 13.5 percent to 1,084 locations.

"This category has essentially blown through the recession without skipping a beat," says Technomic EVP Darren Tristano. "The real pressures are now coming from other types of concepts that have taken note and are positioning themselves alongside their fast-casual counterparts. Quick-service restaurants are revamping their offerings and decor in an attempt to provide value beyond low prices and take back market share." Tristano also points out that increased competition is becoming a concern, as new concepts continue to establish themselves and compete in the fast-casual marketplace.

The report was designed to provide restaurant operators and foodservice suppliers with extensive information and analysis of top performers by sales and units; current trends within the segment; and identification of fast-casual growth opportunities. It includes comprehensive appendices listing the top 100 chains alphabetically and by rank in sales and units, plus detailed profiles containing concept and menu positioning and contacts.

These industry-leading concepts will be discussed in detail at Technomic's first annual Growth Chain Conference, held from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM on Wednesday May 18th at the Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago. Technomic experts Ron Paul and Darren Tristano will be on hand to discuss industry insights and analysis of the quick-service, fast-casual, and casual-dining segments.

Guest speakers will include Smashburger CEO Dave Prokupek, Brick House Tavern and Tap COO Jim Kuhn, and Red Mango founder and CEO Dan Kim. To register for the conference go to technomic.com/growth.