Fast food chains as we know them are dying - here's what could replace them

Rob Polacek

A rendering of a suburban food hall.

Mega-chains like McDonald's, KFC, and Dairy Queen, have dominated the fast food industry for decades. From the suburbs to the cities, fast food restaurants are everywhere.

But in recent years, Americans have become increasingly interested in fast-casual food. The percentage sales growth of legacy fast food chains has nearly flat-lined since 1999, according to The Washington Post. Meanwhile, fast casual sales skyrocketed by 550% from 1999 to 2014, and they're expected to reach $66.9 billion by 2020.

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Fast-casual restaurants, like Nic's Organic in Chicago's suburbs and B.good in suburbs throughout the tri-state area, offer healthy meals with fresh, local ingredients. Their menus are often influenced by what regional farmers can grow in-season.

The rise of healthy fast-casual provides an opportunity to re-invent the fast food industry, especially in suburbs, Rob Polacek, Chief Creative Officer and Partner at Puccini Group, told Business Insider. He believes suburban food halls - fast-casual establishments that feature community gardens, communal dining, and meals by local purveyors - could be the future of fast food.

Check out his designs below.