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# Drive-In Fast-Casual Restaurants
Sweetgreen's New Location Has an Outdoor Area with a Concierge

By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2020-12-18 | Lifestyle
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fast-casual-restaurants
References: [cnbc](https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/16/sweetgreen-will-pilot-a-drive-in-restaurant-as-part-of-suburban-push.html) & [sweetgreen](https://www.sweetgreen.com/)

The way fast-casual restaurants accept and share orders has changed over the last year and [Sweetgreen](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spyce) has plans to introduce its first-ever drive-in restaurant in 2021. Set to be built in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, the location will focus on digital orders placed with the Sweetgreen app and it will offer a traditional [drive-thru lane](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-drive-thru-20), as well as a drive-in area where people can pickup their orders with the aid of a concierge. According to Sweetgreen, the new location specifically "allows guests to access Sweetgreen without ever having to leave their vehicle."

As consumers gravitate towards digital-first ordering and businesses look to future-proof themselves against the changing times, fast-casual restaurants are exploring new formats that focus on safe distancing, minimal contact between staff and guests, and expanded outdoor dining areas.

Image Credit: Sweetgreen

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 4.9/10
- Popularity: 62% | Activity: 75% | Freshness: 9%
- Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women
- Primary generations: Millennial
- Top markets: North America

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food)

## Key Themes

### Why This Trend Is Growing

- **Digital-first Ordering:** With consumers gravitating towards digital-first ordering, there is an opportunity for fast-casual restaurants to invest in user-friendly mobile apps and streamlined online ordering systems.
- **Safe Distancing Formats:** Fast-casual restaurants can explore formats that prioritize safe distancing, such as drive-in areas or designated pickup zones, to cater to changing consumer preferences and ensure customer safety.
- **Expanded Outdoor Dining:** The trend of expanded outdoor dining areas presents an opportunity for fast-casual restaurants to create inviting and comfortable outdoor spaces for customers to enjoy their meals.

### Industries Being Reshaped

- **Restaurant Industry:** The restaurant industry can embrace digital-first ordering and explore new formats to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and preferences.
- **Technology Industry:** The technology industry can develop innovative solutions, such as user-friendly mobile apps and online ordering systems, to support the digital-first ordering trend in the fast-casual restaurant sector.
- **Hospitality Industry:** The hospitality industry can take advantage of the expanded outdoor dining trend by designing and providing comfortable outdoor spaces for guests to dine and enjoy their meals.

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