Seven new casual dining franchises will open their doors to hungry Ticos this year, while three existing chains will expand their operations, according to online financial news site El Financiero.

Many Ticos may not be familiar with brand names like Cosi, Moe’s, Mo Joe’s, Pollo Tropical, Smash Burger, Spoleto, or Whopper Bar -but they will get to know those franchises in 2012. Ticos are already well-attuned to fast-food franchises like Burger King, McDonald’s and Taco Bell, and thus business people and investors are willing to flood the market in Costa Rica with casual dining.

The concept of casual and fast-casual dining has been growing in many parts of the world over the last few decades. In the United States, where the concept is thought to have originated, the casual dining industry tends to do well in prosperous middle class neighborhoods. Casual dining chains like Applebee‘s and TGIF generally offer wait service and moderate prices.

The fast-casual dining experience consists of prices higher than fast-food restaurant, but with more upscale offerings, customized entrees and somtimes open kitchens that allow patrons to see their meals being prepared. In Costa Rica, RostiPollos and Spoon are considered fast-casual dining establishments.

Spoleto is a Brazilian chain that will debut along with the opening of the new full-scale Lincoln Plaza shopping Mall in the Moravia suburbs. Two more Spoletos will open in 2012, and the franchise plan calls for another 15 in the next five years. Spoleto’s menu typically includes different pastas, risottos and salads with a certain level of a la carte options. A neat feature of Spoleto restaurants in Brazil is that the open kitchen encourages chefs and kitchen staff to show off their cooking and juggling skills, and the chain organizes an annual juggling tournament where food and cooking utensils fly as dishes are prepared.

Pollo Tropical is a Miami-based chain that will enter a crowded market with roasted chicken, black beans and rice. Moe’s will offer Tex-Mex cuisine in San Pedro, and three Mo Joe’s (gourmet burgers) will open in Lindora, San Pedro, and in the vicinity of the Real Cariari mall. Cosi will serve salads and sandwiches at Multiplaza Escazu, and Smash Burger may open in Curridabat, Escazu or Lindora.

Three current fast-casual dining chains in Costa Rica, Bagelmen’s, Chichi’s and Tacontento (“you happy?”) will not stand idly by while the new brands move into our country. Each of the three will expand with new franchises in 2012. With a population of less than 5 million in an already crowded fast-food market, it will be interesting to see how the new fast-casual dining franchises fare.