4 Styles of Service in the Restaurant Business

Fast Food
A fast-food or quick-service restaurant provides the quickest service and food at the cheapest prices. The décor in most fast-food restaurants is simple. Fast-food restaurants are often franchises of a brand with many locations. The largest-fast food chains operate globally. Some individuals choose to open small, local, non-chain fast food restaurants. Fast-food restaurants often include a place to dine, while some may possess only drive-through or walk-up windows for customers to order and pick up food. Fast-food restaurants often serve hamburgers, chicken, sub sandwiches, Mexican fare or ice cream.

Fast Casual
Fast-casual restaurants are similar to fast-food restaurants, but customers often perceive the food as healthier or of higher quality. The perception of healthier or higher-quality food allows owners of fast-casual restaurants to charge higher prices than fast-food restaurants. Customers usually order their food at the counter and sit down at a table to enjoy their meal. Of course, fast-casual restaurants give customers the option to order food to go. Many fast-casual restaurants serve a specialized type of food, such as Mexican, Chinese or fresh-baked fare. While a fast-food restaurant may serve fried chicken meals, a fast-casual place may serve roasted chicken, vegetables and baked bread.

Fine Dining
Fine-dining restaurants usually come with the most elaborate menus and expensive prices. Owners of fine-dining restaurants want to present an atmosphere of elegance and grace. Many require customers to make reservations to dine. Some restaurants enforce a certain dress code, while others do not. Fine-dining restaurants employ chefs who attended culinary schools and possess many years of experience. Most customers do not mind paying the expensive prices because of the perceived value they receive from eating at fine-dining restaurants. Some restaurants offer five-course meals and an expensive and expansive wine list.

Casual Dining
Casual-dining restaurants offer food similar to fast-casual establishments but with a table-service dining atmosphere. Most casual-dining restaurants provide a family-friendly environment. The menus at casual dining restaurants are usually more extensive than at fast-casual places. Casual-dining restaurants employ waiters who take customers’ orders and serve the food. The prices of casual-dining restaurants are lower than at fine-dining restaurants, but a little more expensive than at fast-casual places. These restaurants may serve a variety of pastas, chicken dishes and simple seafood dishes. Some have highly specialized menus, but others serve a broad range of cuisine.