So how has breakfast evolved in fast casual in the past year? For starters, a slightly larger share of leading fast-casual chains is offering breakfast. As of our previous writing, 18 of 73 fast-casual chains listed among Technomic’s Top 500 Chain Restaurants offered breakfast—about 25%. Currently, 21 of 76, or 28%, do.
Next, among fast-casual operators that serve breakfast, menu offerings appear to be expanding: According to Technomic’s MenuMonitor database, the number of breakfast entrees menued by fast-casual chains in the Top 500 rose 8.8% (to 260) from third-quarter 2012 to third-quarter 2013.
Breakfast sandwiches, egg dishes and combo plates saw the strongest growth in that time. For example, the number of sandwiches offered at breakfast at leading fast-casual concepts climbed 19.5% in the year-over-year period. Breakfast sandwiches are smart additions for fast-casual restaurants: In a separate poll Technomic conducted last year, one-third of consumers say they eat breakfast sandwiches weekly or more often.
