Fast food restaurants are limited service eating establishments that specialized in fast food preparation and low prices to move customers in and out of restaurants as quickly as possible. These units may have seating available but table service is generally not available.

Restaurants that feature moderate to high prices where the average check is approximately $10. Meals are often served with flatware and china. Table service is generally available to patrons.

A quick casual restaurant is a limited service or self-service restaurant that is a cross between fast food and full service formats. These restaurants generally serve higher quality foods with an average check between $7 to $10.

Satellite restaurants are small, lower volume locations of a restaurant chain that operated in high traffic locations such as mass merchandise stores, airports, sports stadiums, amusement parks, and supermarkets.

Gains arising to a company from the purchase and resale of franchised units.

A contract between a franchisor and a franchisee that stipulates certain conditions in using the brand of the restaurant company. It gives the franchisee the right to construct and operate a restaurant on site accepted by the franchisor by using standardized operating and management systems provided by the franchisor. The franchisee pays the franchisor a one-time fee and makes royalty payments to the franchisor based on gross sales from the franchsied unit. Franchise agreements can range from 10 to 20 years.

A midscale restaurant offers both limited and full range of menu options to their customers Custoemrs will order their meal and have it delivered to them at their table in the restaurant. The menu items are typically more expensive than menus served at quick service restaurants. These restaurants sometimes offer salad bars or buffets to their customers.

An upsale restaurant is a full service establishment that focus on providing high quality food and fine dining ambiance to their customers. They sometimes can be called white table cloth restaurants. Customers may sometimes need to telephone the restaurant for seating reservations. As a result, these meals are typically much more expensive.

A fast casual restaurant is a type of restaurant that does not offer full table service, but promises a higher quality of food and atmosphere than a fast food restaurant. The fast casual restaurant concept hybrid between fast food and casual dining. The typical cost per meal is typically between the $8–$15 price range.