---
title: "QSR: Fast Casual Traffic Only Segment to Grow in Last 5 Years"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/5aff4c9e-9448-4e99-ab0e-940b35f1cd11
source: "1851 Franchise"
original_url: https://1851franchise.com/qsr-fast-casual-traffic-only-segment-to-grow-in-last-5-years-2707021
category: "Fast casual"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Fast casual"
published: 2018-07-02T22:17:32.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T02:34:14.399Z
image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/3682bfe73e18682a23d4d10cd2ec3b8a9960.jpg
---

# QSR: Fast Casual Traffic Only Segment to Grow in Last 5 Years

**TL;DR:** Fast-casual traffic has grown 6 percent yearly since 2013, with store openings being a main factor in the annual growth. The segment has seen visits to their establishments grow, with Chipotle, Panera, Panda Express, and Raising Cane's being top growing chains in terms of customer visits.

*originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2018-07-02. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/qsr-fast-casual-traffic-only-segment-to-grow-in-last-5-years-2707021).*

## Story

Although the restaurant industry has seen slow growth over the past few years, the fast-casual segment has seen visits to their establishments grown 6 percent yearly since 2013. *QSR Magazine* reported that store openings may be the main factor in the annual growth. Units have grown from 19,231 units in 2013 to 25,118 units in 2017 according to a report from The NPD Group.

“Fast casual continues to be a bright spot in the U.S. restaurant industry because they are providing consumers with exactly what they want,” says David Portalatin, NPD Food Industry Advisor. “They offer quick and good service, high-quality food, and a pleasant experience. It’s really the not-so-secret-sauce of success.”

Although the segment has seen slow growth in the last two quarters, Chipotle, Panera, Panda Express and Raising Canes continue to be the top growing chain in terms of customer visits.

## Entities

- 1851 Franchise (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- QSR Magazine (publication)
- restaurant industry (topic)
- Chipotle (company)
- Raising Cane's (company)
- Panda Express (company)
- fast casual growth (topic)
- store openings (topic)
- customer visits (topic)

---
Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/qsr-fast-casual-traffic-only-segment-to-grow-in-last-5-years-2707021). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/5aff4c9e-9448-4e99-ab0e-940b35f1cd11).