Contemporary casual restaurants are an offshoot of the fine dining model, catering to a younger demographic that prefers a more laid-back menu and setting. In this model, you have a significant emphasis on both atmosphere and experience.
Successful contemporary casual establishments generally cultivate a brand that aligns with the sensibilities of Millennial and Gen-Z consumers, such as:
- Eco-friendly
- Farm-to-table
- Locally sourced ingredients
- Fusion cuisine
Contemporary casual restaurants typically thrive by catering to modern trends. Part of this includes creating a menu that adheres to the desires of a younger consumer base. Another part of this is becoming their own trend.
In other words, the most successful contemporary casual restaurants are trends in and of themselves. This can be accomplished by:
- Generating a large social media following
- Offering a particular unique menu with visually pleasing food preparation
- Outfitting the dining room with unique decor
- Cultivating a celebrity clientele
- Offering a new experience, such as dark dining