What's the Next Shake Shack? Our First-Ever Fast-Casual Survey Results Are In

By Kelly Dobkin | September 1, 2015

Over the last decade, there's been an explosion of exciting new gourmet fast-casual eateries from celebrity chefs like Roy Choi, José Andrés, Michael Solomonov and even David Chang. But perhaps it was Shake Shack that started it all when it opened in 2005 — with a fine-dining name like Danny Meyer behind it, the rampant popularity of the now-worldwide burger chain proved that casual food could also mean good food. Now, in the post-Shack era, we asked you to rate your favorite chains that are changing the game in major cities all across the country. What's the next big fast-casual chain? We looked at the highest-quality counter-service-only chains with between two and 50 locations nationally, and the results are in, along with some head-turning national stats. Click through the slide show below to get the low-down on America's fast-casual obsession.

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  Fresh, made-to-order food is a must.

  When asked to select the most important qualities in a fast-casual eatery (respondents could choose up to three answers), a whopping 94% of respondents said that food/ingredient quality was the most important quality, followed by cleanliness at 46%, value at 45%, and convenience and speed at 39%. However, when it came to GMOs, only 19% said it was "very important" for the fast-casual spot to be GMO-free, and only 14% said it was "very important" to serve organic food (although 45% voted it's "somewhat important"). For most diners, seems like it's more about fresh ingredients versus political correctness.

  Along the same lines, 54% said that "made-to-order" food was "very important" to them when dining fast-casual. Burgers sitting under a heat lamp = no thanks!
• 
  Chef-driven concepts are a plus.

  Diners are loving all the chefs hopping aboard the fast-casual bandwagon. In fact, 65% said they'd be more likely to go a fast-casual establishment that was gourmet or chef-driven. And 78% said they'd like to see more chefs opening them. Given all the chefs recently getting into the game (José Andrés, David Chang), it looks like diners are getting their wish!
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  Most popular fast-casual cuisines.

  Burgers ruled the roost when it came to the type of food that surveyors said they consumed most frequently (51%), followed by Mexican at 44%, American food at 34% and pizza at 29%. Aside from Shake Shack, other local burger chains like Texas'Hopdoddy, ex Top Cheffer Spike Mendelsohn's Good Stuff Eatery and Bobby Flay's Bobby's Burger Palace are all providing plenty of quality options in the patty department.
• Photo by: Getty Images/Blend Images

  
  It's a family affair.

  Most diners enjoy their fast-casual meals with family (40%), while others most frequently go it alone (27%). Makes sense when you consider the fact that hungry kids don't often have the patience for even the average wait times at your favorite neighborhood restaurant.
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  Lunch tops the bunch.

  Unsurprisingly, lunch was the meal that 60% of respondents said they had most often at a fast-casual eatery, followed by dinner at 38%. Despite the best efforts of some chains to get folks hooked on fast-casual breakfast, only 2% of voters said that was their most frequent fast-casual meal.
• 
  How about a tip?

  When it comes to tipping — often a dicey subject at a counter-service joint — 33% of respondents said they tipped nothing while 31% said they left $1–$2.