​For six decades, Americans have associated quick dining with the taste of a quarter-pounder or a bag of fries from a drive-thru. In 2016, people are trading traditional fast food for a salad, burrito bowl or burger cooked on site. The trend of “fast casual” chains, promising fresher and more varied foods, continues to grow with restaurants such as Chipotle and Panera Bread.

The market for fast casual food has grown by 550 percent since 1999, according to The Washington Post. In 2014, McDonald’s reported a decline in growth for the first time in 30 years, according to euromonitor.com. As for Chipotle, its annual revenue grew at a rate of 20 percent from 2006 to 2014, according to yahoo.com. Even with incidents involving E. coli that the CDC reported this winter, Chipotle continues to flourish, and WHS students are among the many found dining there.
Junior Caroline Gilman prefers eating at Chipotle for the quality of the food. Said Gilman, “It is very fresh and the guacamole is my favorite. You get a lot of food for a good price and it is very easy and quick.”

It seems that more people are concerned about the health risks of major fast food chains and are selecting other options. Said Senior Kevin Palmer, “I’ve seen and read about how unhealthy McDonald’s and other fast food places are, and while places like Blaze, Subway, Chipotle and Panera are not nearly as fast, the cleaner facilities and healthier options make them more desirable.”

Many are drawn to fast casual dining options because they can actually see their food being made. “It’s nice to know my food isn’t just being reheated in the microwave,” said senior Marty Wiaczek, an avid Qdoba customer. “Every time I order, I know I’m getting fresh and good quality food.”

Do fast casual diners know for sure that it is healthier? When comparing a typical Chiptole burrito bowl to a McDonald’s quarter-pounder and fries, the calorie intake isn’t significantly different. “I feel like everything at Chipotle seems fresh, but you never know what you’re getting at McDonald’s,” Gilman said.

Yet the ability to personalize orders at fast casual chains convinces customers they’re making better choices. “I just assume that I’m eating healthier because…I choose a lot of the vegetables and salsa,” said senior Sam Gargiulo about her Chipotle order.

Whether you follow the trend of fast casual dining or stick to the golden arches, the quality of your meal depends on your order. “You have to know what you’re eating,” said Gargiulo. “If you have basic knowledge about food, I think you should know what you’re ordering whether you go to McDonald’s or Chipotle.”

​