How Washington DC Became the Fast-Casual Capital of the United States The District has been an incubator for some of the biggest fast-casual chains in the country. Image by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist From $15 salad spots that have become workday destinations to a now-iconic burger joint with Mid-Atlantic influences, the greater DC region has long been an incubator for fast casual chains and franchises. The area served as a launchpad for mammoth chains like sweetgreen and Five Guys, while also nurturing smaller businesses like BGR and Elevation Burger that can now be found in cities big a...