Fast Casual Nation: The Best Footage of 2015

The fast-casual segment has become a force to be reckoned with in the restaurant space, and even more so in the past 12 months as more chefs merge into these concepts. Chef-driven fast casuals not only exude heightened flavor on menus but also frequently use carefully selected products and ingredients that diners are comfortable consuming. For those not yet familiar, "Fast Casual Nation," is a WebTV show where host Paul Barron (Foodable founder, CEO, executive producer, and author of "The Chipotle Effect") takes viewers into emerging, innovative and successful fast casuals across the country. And in this season, we explored concepts all over the culinary map. Check out the video above as we bring viewers back into three of our favorites from 2015 — from a unique, chef-driven spin on fried chicken in Chicago at Honey Butter Fried Chicken; to Chop Shop in Denver, a hybrid fast casual that's attacking the middle of the market; and L.A.-based Veggie Grill, a concept started by Greg Dollarhyde of Baja Fresh fame that serves up inventive veggie-centric food that doesn't detract from flavor.