The fast-casual restaurant industry is booming, and two brands that are leading the charge are Velvet Taco and Starbird. Both brands have seen rapid growth in recent years, thanks to their unique offerings and savvy leadership.


Velvet Taco


Velvet Taco was founded in Dallas in 2011 by Randy DeWitt and his son, Travis. The concept is a fast-casual taco restaurant with a twist: the tacos are made with high-quality ingredients and feature creative flavor combinations. The menu features over 20 different tacos and a variety of other dishes, such as salads, bowls, and sides.


Velvet Taco has quickly become a popular destination for millennials, thanks to its hip atmosphere and social media-friendly food. The brand has also been praised for its commitment to sustainability, using recycled materials and sustainable packaging whenever possible.


Clay Dover has taken the lead as the CEO and ushered in a variety of new menua approaches as well as bringing in an expanded view on service models by adding Drive-Thru in the fresh mex segment. In 2021, Velvet Taco was acquired by Leonard Green & Partners, a private equity firm that has invested in other successful brands, such as The Container Store and Zaxby's. The acquisition is expected to help Velvet Taco accelerate its growth plans.

Starbird


Starbird is a fast-casual chicken restaurant founded in 2016 by Aaron Novashen. The concept is a modern take on the classic fried chicken joint, focusing on high-quality ingredients and creative flavors. The menu features fried chicken sandwiches, tenders, baskets, and various sides, such as mac and cheese and coleslaw.


Starbird has also quickly become a popular destination for millennials, thanks to its affordable prices and convenient locations. The brand has also been praised for its commitment to using antibiotic-free chicken and cage-free eggs.


In 2021, Starbird secured a $12 million investment that spurred recent growth to open more restaurants, as well as launching franchising. The funding round was led by private-equity firm KarpReilly. The investment also was added to the recent investment of a 4 Million cash infusion led by industry veteran Greg Dollarhyde.

What Makes These Brands So Successful?


There are a few things that make Velvet Taco and Starbird so successful. First, both brands offer unique and crave-able food that appeals to millennials. Second, both brands have a strong focus on sustainability and menu creativity. Third, both brands have savvy leadership that is committed to growth.


The Future of Fast-Casual


The fast-casual restaurant industry is expected to grow in the coming years. Brands like Velvet Taco and Starbird are leading the way by offering unique and craveable food and a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. These brands are well-positioned to succeed in the years to come.


Here are some other factors that have contributed to the success of Velvet Taco and Starbird:

• Their focus is on innovation. Both brands are constantly innovating their menus and offerings, which keeps customers returning for more.
  
  
• Their strong marketing and branding. Both brands have done a great job of marketing themselves to millennials, using social media and other channels to reach their target audience.
  
  
• Their commitment to customer service. Both brands are known for their excellent customer service, which makes customers want to return.
  
  

Overall, Velvet Taco and Starbird are two fast-casual brands on the rise. They are both well-positioned to succeed in the coming years thanks to their unique offerings, savvy leadership, and commitment to innovation.