Restaurant executives with decades of experience say the fast casual restaurant model is facing daunting challenges. .

At the recent Fast Casual Executive Summit event featuring restaurant company executives, Firehouse CEO Don Fox said the industry's current headwinds are "unprecedented." His perspective spans 40-plus years. 

Discussing the crisis in Pizzamarketplace.com, industry leaders add the challenges include record-high commodities prices, labor inflation, technology costs, the National Labor Relations Board decision that holds parent companies accountable for franchisee practices, and health care/menu labeling logistics – are expected to continue into 2015.

Read more about the headwinds facing the restaurant business.