In the past two years, declining sales forced dozens of casual restaurant chains to close locations or file for chapter 11. But after changing hands, changing management or restructuring, many casual-dining chains are reinventing themselves to be more contemporary, the Wall Street Journal reported. They are swapping out giant portions of food for small plates, and upgrading ingredients and décor. Recent sales trends across the sector show promise. Same-store sales at casual-dining restaurants rose half a percent this year through April, compared with a 1.1 percent decline in the prior-year period, according to restaurant consultant Malcolm Knapp. With the rise of fast-casual chains — places like Panera Bread that offer food from a counter but are considered a step up from fast food — time-pressed consumers now have a range of quick-dining choices. Casual sit-down restaurants, however, still make up 34 percent of the $560 billion in total restaurant industry sales, according to Technomic Inc.
