Sergio's Cuban Cafe & Grill Looks Towards Fast-Casual for the Future

As we've mentioned before in our blogs, fast-casual dining is not going anywhere. It gives chef's and restaurateur's an opportunity to provide fresh, high-quality food at lower prices due to reduced overhead costs. Sergio's Cuban Cafe & Grill of Miami is the most recent entrant into the category.Carlos Gazitua, the CEO of Sergio's, knew three years ago when planning the launch of their 6th location, it would be the last full-service restaurant. Gazitua cites rising rent prices and economics as the prime reasons to steer away from full-service and into fast-casual.Sergio's will also fill a hole in the fast-casual market for Cuban food. Leveraging the strength of their restaurant reputation, Sergio's fast-casual will be able to launch with the power of their brand identity to help them capitalize on a thriving industry.Hoping to be the "Chipotle" of Cuban food, their bowl-centric menu features bold flavors like Mojo pork, Ropa Vieja, chimi-churri, and spicy habanero sauce. Contrasted with healthful choices such as cauliflower rice, boiled yucca, and lean ground turkey, Sergio's is working to offer plenty of flavorful options while adding nutrient density to an often rich, heavy cuisine.With site locations like Denver, Texas, Atlanta, and Washington D.C. slated for development, we'll be keeping an eye on Sergio's growth and look forward to a nearby location for taste testing.What other Cuban fast casuals have you come across? Let us know in the comments section below.Cheers!