Fast-Casual Dining business

This year might be the worst ever for the food-service industry as a whole, but the emerging fast-casual segment -- which falls between fast food and full-serve restaurants -- continues to shine. Sales for the top 100 fast-casual restaurant chains grew by nearly 11 percent in 2008, to $16.7 billion, according to Technomic, a Chicago-based restaurant industry research and consulting firm. Panera Bread led the segment with $2.6 billion in sales in 2008, representing 16 percent growth, while Chipotle Mexican Grill totaled $1.3 billion in revenue, good for a nearly 21 percent growth. For those without the capital to start a restaurant, food industry watchers are seeing a growing trend in food trucks, with those that offer one type of food -- tacos, waffles, and even Korean barbecue -- all the rage on the streets of major cities.