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Core Insights - The fast-casual dining sector, once rapidly expanding, is now facing significant challenges due to economic downturns, leading consumers to cut back on spending, including opting for cheaper meal options [1][2] Industry Performance - Sweetgreen Inc. reported a 9.5% decline in Q3 sales compared to the same period in 2024, exceeding Wall Street's expectations, resulting in a stock price drop and a market value decrease of over 77% by December 15, 2025 [2] - Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. revised its 2025 sales forecast from flat to a low single-digit decline, with its stock price down 40% in 2025 [2] - Cava Group Inc. indicated stagnant customer traffic, projecting a sales increase of only 3% to 4% for existing restaurants, down from a previous estimate of 4% to 6% [2] Consumer Behavior - Budget-conscious consumers are increasingly preparing meals at home, finding it cheaper than purchasing ready-made salads from restaurants [3] - There is a noticeable shift of customers from fast-casual brands to traditional fast-food chains like Taco Bell and Chick-fil-A, which offer competitive pricing for similar meal options [4] Pricing Strategies - Fast-food chains like McDonald's and Burger King have successfully attracted budget-conscious consumers with discounted meal options, such as McDonald's $5 sausage egg muffin meal and $8 Big Mac meal [5] - In contrast, Chipotle and Cava are resistant to lowering prices, emphasizing their value proposition beyond just price [6][7] Market Trends - Consumer expectations are shifting, with price becoming the most important factor in dining choices for the first time in 2025, surpassing quality, service, and portion size [9] - Sweetgreen is exploring pricing adjustments and discount membership programs to attract customers, indicating a need for lower-priced seasonal offerings [9] Potential Solutions - Introducing smaller portion sizes for salads could reduce production costs while addressing consumer desires for appropriate meal sizes, although this approach carries reputational risks [10]