---
title: The Unexpected Evolution of Casual Dining
description: Explore how casual dining is making a comeback by refocusing menus, streamlining operations, rethinking pricing and creating memorable experiences.
image: https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/hubfs/Group-dining.jpg
---

 

    [![hbc_logo](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/hs-fs/file-805314016-png/Landing_Page_Images/hbc_logo.png)](https://hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/)

 Hamilton Beach Commercial Blog

[Beverage](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/beverage) [Food](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food) [Hospitality](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/hospitality) [Recipes](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/recipes)

# Food

## [The Unexpected Evolution of Casual Dining](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/the-unexpected-evolution-of-casual-dining)

 2:22 PM on February 22, 2022

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

Shuttered casual dining restaurants have become a common sight in American suburbs, a casualty of pandemic cutbacks, overinvestment in the 2010s, and competition from the fast-casual segment. But this doesn’t signify the end. The opposite is true: Casual dining is making a comeback.![Group-dining](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group-dining.jpg?width=450&name=Group-dining.jpg)

Casual dining brands are becoming more polished, more creative and more experience-focused. *FSR Magazine* calls it “NextGen Casual,” a movement discussed in [a recent webinar with three segment leaders](https://www.fsrmagazine.com/video/meet-nextgen-casual). Black Bear Diner CEO Anita Adams sums up casual dining trends perfectly: “Now’s the time to protect what you stand for and what you’re known for,” she says. Here’s how.

**Distinctive dining experiences**

How can you make diners feel like their meal is special (off premises or on)? Yavonne Sarber, founder of [Agave & Rye](https://agaveandrye.com/), explains in the NextGen Casual webinar that her brand is built on the “three pillars of epic… epic hospitality, epic food and drink, and epic atmosphere.” This means creative, scratch-made tacos; “epic-size” cocktails made with freshly squeezed juices; and original artwork custom-made for each location. Guests “want to be transported into something that’s not the norm,” Sarber says.

It’s crucial to make every location feel like a unique, local establishment. California-based [Black Bear Diner](https://blackbeardiner.com/) is “largely a conversion-based brand,” Adams explains, meaning that it takes over existing restaurant spaces so that hardly any locations look exactly the same.

 

**Optimized menus**

Casual dining was long known for big, multi-chapter menus. But they realized years ago that they couldn’t be all things to all diners. Back in 2017, Chili’s anticipated the trend by cutting its menu from 125 items to 75. Pandemic pressures caused many more restaurants, including Red Robin and Cracker Barrel, to do the same in 2020. Notably, IHOP [shrank its menu](https://www.today.com/food/ihop-unveils-new-shorter-menu-chain-attempts-simply-operations-t185196) from 12 pages to 2.

But is that sustainable? After [Another Broken Egg Café](https://anotherbrokenegg.com/) shortened its menu during pandemic shutdowns, says CEO Paul Macaluso, “people were clamoring… for all the items we had, and to bring that back.” They restored the longer menu, but continue to conduct menu optimization every few years to give customers more of what they want and more of what the brand is known for. For Another Broken Egg, that’s **indulgence**: premium drinks, lobster benedict, pound cake French toast, and other treats diners won’t make at home. Alcohol sales Monday through Thursday are up 40%, Macaluso reports.

 

Read more: [Should Operators Shrink or Expand Offerings?](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/menu-trends-should-operators-shrink-or-expand-offerings)

**Accessible pricing**

Increasing menu costs — caused by inflation and higher costs of doing business — have erased some of the divide between fast-casual and casual dining pricing. The average check at a fast casual, which was $7-$15 five years ago, has [risen to $12-$18](https://www.fsrmagazine.com/video/meet-nextgen-casual). That’s close to the $20-$30 per-person check for casual dining.

The challenge for operators, then, is to figure out what kind of food and experience they can offer that diners are happy to pay a little extra for. At Agave & Rye, some diners are surprised to find that the tacos cost around $7 to $12.50, reflecting 15-25% price increases due to inflation. “What the heck!” they say. But when they take a bite, Sarber says, “they taste the value in what we’re doing, because we take quality so seriously.”

 

**Streamlined kitchen operations**

In Q3 2021, consulting firm [Kinetic12](https://www.kinetic12.com/) asked operators what their “Kitchen of the Future” would look like. Their answers reflected a universal desire to simplify:

- 91% said a simplified prep process to reduce labor and mistakes
- 56% said more multi-use equipment
- 56% said an advanced KDS/order-management system
- 52% said a more compact, efficient kitchen
- 41% said a station-oriented layout with fewer labor specialists

Hamilton Beach Commercial is here to help. Every piece of commercial kitchen equipment we make is designed to be intuitive, compact and multi-functional. Take the [BigRigTM family of commercial immersion blenders](https://hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/immersion-blenders/), which features the most powerful motor in its class, a variable speed dial and an ergonomic handle for all-day use. Or the [PrimaVac™ commercial vacuum sealer](https://hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/vacuum-packaging/), which earns a place in any kitchen by efficiently storing, preserving, portioning and seasoning food.

 

Read more: [8 Tips for Optimizing Space in a Restaurant Kitchen](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/8-tips-for-optimizing-space-in-a-restaurant-kitchen)

 

*Discover Hamilton Beach Commercial’s full line of* [*durable, affordable restaurant equipment*](https://hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/)*.*

 

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

 Topics: [Featured](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/featured), [casual dining](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/casual-dining), [casual dining trends](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/casual-dining-trends)

[![Join the HBC Community](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/358358/502625b0-828f-45ce-88d6-01de85732b0d.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/358358/502625b0-828f-45ce-88d6-01de85732b0d)

### Subscribe to this blog

### Recent Posts

### Posts by Topic

- [Featured (40)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/featured)
- [Food (21)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/food)
- [Feature (15)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/feature)
- [foodservice heroes (10)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/foodservice-heroes)
- [PrimaVac (9)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/primavac)
- [Culinary blenders (8)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/culinary-blenders)
- [Foodservice (8)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/foodservice)
- [Restaurant management (7)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-management)
- [Trends (6)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/trends)
- [Menu (5)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/menu)
- [Restaurants (5)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurants)
- [ebook (5)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/ebook)
- [Customer Service (4)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/customer-service)
- [Gluten-free (4)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/gluten-free)
- [Hamilton Beach Commercial (4)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/hamilton-beach-commercial)
- [2024 food trends (3)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/2024-food-trends)
- [Dining environment (3)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/dining-environment)
- [Healthy eating (3)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/healthy-eating)
- [High Performance Blenders (3)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/high-performance-blenders)
- [commercial grade vacuum sealer (3)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/commercial-grade-vacuum-sealer)
- [commercial stand mixer (3)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/commercial-stand-mixer)
- [commercial vacuum sealer (3)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/commercial-vacuum-sealer)
- [foodservice equipment (3)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/foodservice-equipment)
- [vacuum sealers (3)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/vacuum-sealers)
- [Atmosphere (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/atmosphere)
- [Chain Restaurants (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/chain-restaurants)
- [Commercial rice warmer (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/commercial-rice-warmer)
- [Durability (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/durability)
- [Fast Casual (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/fast-casual)
- [Healthcare (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/healthcare)
- [Latin America (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/latin-america)
- [Locavores (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/locavores)
- [Recipes (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/recipes)
- [Restaurant longevity (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-longevity)
- [Restaurant menu trends (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-menu-trends)
- [Starbucks (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/starbucks)
- [Vegan (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/vegan)
- [Waitstaff (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/waitstaff)
- [catering (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/catering)
- [chamber sealer (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/chamber-sealer)
- [commercial blender (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/commercial-blender)
- [commercial blender hamilton beach (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/commercial-blender-hamilton-beach)
- [commercial food blender (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/commercial-food-blender)
- [commercial immersion blenders (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/commercial-immersion-blenders)
- [commercial kitchen equipment (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/commercial-kitchen-equipment)
- [commercial stick blender (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/commercial-stick-blender)
- [food blenders (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/food-blenders)
- [food trends (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/food-trends)
- [foodservice blog (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/foodservice-blog)
- [foodservice operators (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/foodservice-operators)
- [hamilton beach commercial immersion blender (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/hamilton-beach-commercial-immersion-blender)
- [heavy duty stand mixer (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/heavy-duty-stand-mixer)
- [hydroshocking (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/hydroshocking)
- [menu trends (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/menu-trends)
- [restaurant stand mixer (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-stand-mixer)
- [restaurant sustainability (2)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-sustainability)
- [2021 food trends (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/2021-food-trends)
- [2023 food trends (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/2023-food-trends)
- [2025 beverage trends (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/2025-beverage-trends)
- [2025 food trends (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/2025-food-trends)
- [2025 hospitality trends (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/2025-hospitality-trends)
- [Bartesian (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/bartesian)
- [Best Practices (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/best-practices)
- [Beverage Blenders (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/beverage-blenders)
- [Brazil (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/brazil)
- [COVID-19 restaurant trends (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/covid-19-restaurant-trends)
- [CSP Magazine (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/csp-magazine)
- [Chain restaurant trends (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/chain-restaurant-trends)
- [Chef (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/chef)
- [China (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/china)
- [Citrus (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/citrus)
- [Classic diners (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/classic-diners)
- [Coconut oil (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/coconut-oil)
- [Coffee (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/coffee)
- [Commercial can opener (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/commercial-can-opener)
- [Commercial can opener blade (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/commercial-can-opener-blade)
- [Community (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/community)
- [Convenience Stores (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/convenience-stores)
- [Cooking oils (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/cooking-oils)
- [Customers (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/customers)
- [Daypart shifts (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/daypart-shifts)
- [Digital Loyalty Programs (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/digital-loyalty-programs)
- [EXPEDITOR (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/expeditor)
- [Education (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/education)
- [Emulsions (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/emulsions)
- [Engineering (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/engineering)
- [Farm to Table (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/farm-to-table)
- [Flexitarian (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/flexitarian)
- [Food Waste in Schools (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/food-waste-in-schools)
- [Gen z trends (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/gen-z-trends)
- [Generation Z food preferences (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/generation-z-food-preferences)
- [Global Cuisine (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/global-cuisine)
- [GoodThinking (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/goodthinking)
- [Green Restaurants (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/green-restaurants)
- [Heavy duty can opener (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/heavy-duty-can-opener)
- [Homecentricity (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/homecentricity)
- [Immersion Blender (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/immersion-blender)
- [Industry News (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/industry-news)
- [Inventions (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/inventions)
- [LTO (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/lto)
- [Local sourcing (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/local-sourcing)
- [Margarita (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/margarita)
- [Marketing (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/marketing)
- [Mexican (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/mexican)
- [Millennials (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/millennials)
- [Neurogastronomy (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/neurogastronomy)
- [Noise (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/noise)
- [Operational efficiency (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/operational-efficiency)
- [Paleo (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/paleo)
- [Pandemic dining (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/pandemic-dining)
- [Partners (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/partners)
- [Peru (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/peru)
- [Produce-infused cocktails (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/produce-infused-cocktails)
- [Reducetarian (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/reducetarian)
- [Research (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/research)
- [Restaurant COVID relief (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-covid-relief)
- [Restaurant Delivery (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-delivery)
- [Restaurant Revitalization Fund (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-revitalization-fund)
- [Restaurant relief (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-relief)
- [Restaurant trends in Asia (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-trends-in-asia)
- [Restaurant trends in China (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-trends-in-china)
- [Servers (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/servers)
- [Sound (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/sound)
- [Spanish restaurant trends (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/spanish-restaurant-trends)
- [Spindle mixers (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/spindle-mixers)
- [Streamlined menus (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/streamlined-menus)
- [Sustainability (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/sustainability)
- [Tapas (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/tapas)
- [Tips (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/tips)
- [Top restaurant chains (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/top-restaurant-chains)
- [Vegetables (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/vegetables)
- [Vegetarian cuisine (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/vegetarian-cuisine)
- [Ways to Reduce Food Waste in Schools (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/ways-to-reduce-food-waste-in-schools)
- [aging beef (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/aging-beef)
- [aging cheese (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/aging-cheese)
- [amaretto (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/amaretto)
- [beverage blender (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/beverage-blender)
- [biodegradable takeout containers (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/biodegradable-takeout-containers)
- [biodegradable to-go container (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/biodegradable-to-go-container)
- [breakfast trends (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/breakfast-trends)
- [casual dining (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/casual-dining)
- [casual dining trends (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/casual-dining-trends)
- [chamber vacuum sealer (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/chamber-vacuum-sealer)
- [chilies (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/chilies)
- [college food trends (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/college-food-trends)
- [commercial blender with sound enclosure (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/commercial-blender-with-sound-enclosure)
- [commercial blenders (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/commercial-blenders)
- [commercial can opener for large cans (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/commercial-can-opener-for-large-cans)
- [commercial culinary blender (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/commercial-culinary-blender)
- [commercial drink blender (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/commercial-drink-blender)
- [commercial immersion blender (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/commercial-immersion-blender)
- [commercial immersion circulator (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/commercial-immersion-circulator)
- [commercial juicer (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/commercial-juicer)
- [commercial kitchen design (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/commercial-kitchen-design)
- [commercial rice cooker (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/commercial-rice-cooker)
- [commercial sous vide circulator (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/commercial-sous-vide-circulator)
- [commercial vacuum sealer machine (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/commercial-vacuum-sealer-machine)
- [compostable containers (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/compostable-containers)
- [curing (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/curing)
- [dark kitchen (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/dark-kitchen)
- [dessert to go (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/dessert-to-go)
- [drive restaurant sales (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/drive-restaurant-sales)
- [drive-thru service (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/drive-thru-service)
- [drive-thru speed (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/drive-thru-speed)
- [drive-thru speed of service (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/drive-thru-speed-of-service)
- [eco-friendly takeout containers (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/eco-friendly-takeout-containers)
- [equipment for food trucks (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/equipment-for-food-trucks)
- [experimental cooking (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/experimental-cooking)
- [feat (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/feat)
- [fine-dining (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/fine-dining)
- [food price inflation (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/food-price-inflation)
- [food truck equipment (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/food-truck-equipment)
- [food waste in school lunches (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/food-waste-in-school-lunches)
- [gas flushing (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/gas-flushing)
- [gen z food trends (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/gen-z-food-trends)
- [generation z core values (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/generation-z-core-values)
- [ghost food halls (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/ghost-food-halls)
- [ghost kitchen (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/ghost-kitchen)
- [ghost kitchens (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/ghost-kitchens)
- [greens (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/greens)
- [grocerant (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/grocerant)
- [grocery store restaurant (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/grocery-store-restaurant)
- [heavy duty can opener for large cans (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/heavy-duty-can-opener-for-large-cans)
- [heavy duty commercial blender (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/heavy-duty-commercial-blender)
- [heavy duty immersion blender (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/heavy-duty-immersion-blender)
- [herbs (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/herbs)
- [high performance commercial blenders (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/high-performance-commercial-blenders)
- [high-performance blender (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/high-performance-blender)
- [holiday (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/holiday)
- [how to equip a food truck (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/how-to-equip-a-food-truck)
- [immersion mixer (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/immersion-mixer)
- [limited time offer (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/limited-time-offer)
- [mariscos (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/mariscos)
- [menu price inflation (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/menu-price-inflation)
- [modified atmosphere packaging (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/modified-atmosphere-packaging)
- [mood food (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/mood-food)
- [pickles (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/pickles)
- [pickling (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/pickling)
- [planetary stand mixer (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/planetary-stand-mixer)
- [plant-based menu (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/plant-based-menu)
- [plant-based restaurants (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/plant-based-restaurants)
- [restaurant efficiency (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-efficiency)
- [restaurant employee retention (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-employee-retention)
- [restaurant equipment (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-equipment)
- [restaurant industry trends (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-industry-trends)
- [restaurant labor shortage (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-labor-shortage)
- [restaurant marketing (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-marketing)
- [restaurant operations (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-operations)
- [restaurant prototypes (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-prototypes)
- [restaurant redesign (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-redesign)
- [restaurant staffing (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-staffing)
- [restaurant staffing shortage (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-staffing-shortage)
- [restaurant strategy (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-strategy)
- [restaurant sustainability practices (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-sustainability-practices)
- [restaurant trends (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/restaurant-trends)
- [rice warmer (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/rice-warmer)
- [salsa (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/salsa)
- [say no to plastic (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/say-no-to-plastic)
- [senior living (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/senior-living)
- [soft air (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/soft-air)
- [stick blender (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/stick-blender)
- [takeout dessert (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/takeout-dessert)
- [unicorn frappuccino (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/unicorn-frappuccino)
- [vacuum chamber sealer (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/vacuum-chamber-sealer)
- [vacuum sealing applications (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/vacuum-sealing-applications)
- [virtual kitchens (1)](https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/topic/virtual-kitchens)

see all

[![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/358358/d0baf601-8b91-4b1b-9914-39cff94779cb.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/358358/d0baf601-8b91-4b1b-9914-39cff94779cb)

## Share this Page  

[![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com%2Ffood%2Fthe-unexpected-evolution-of-casual-dining%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com%2Ffood%2Fthe-unexpected-evolution-of-casual-dining%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com%2Ffood%2Fthe-unexpected-evolution-of-casual-dining%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com%2Ffood%2Fthe-unexpected-evolution-of-casual-dining%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=The%20Unexpected%20Evolution%20of%20Casual%20Dining) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com%2Ffood%2Fthe-unexpected-evolution-of-casual-dining%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com%2Ffood%2Fthe-unexpected-evolution-of-casual-dining%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail)

## Recent Blog Posts

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Hamilton Beach Commercial",
    "url" : "https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/author/hamilton-beach-commercial"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2022-02-22T19:22:00.260Z",
  "datePublished" : "2022-02-22T19:22:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "The Unexpected Evolution of Casual Dining",
  "image" : [ "https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/hubfs/Group-dining.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/food/the-unexpected-evolution-of-casual-dining",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://blog.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com/hs-fs/file-805314016-png/Landing_Page_Images/hbc_logo.png"
    },
    "name" : "Hamilton Beach Commercial"
  }
}
```