There’s
a powerful beauty in family meals — but let’s be honest: not everyone at the
table wants the same thing.
Kids
want pizza bites. Teenagers crave spicy wings. Mom dreams of a fresh salad.
Dad’s thinking BBQ ribs. Grandma wants comfort food. In today’s busy, diverse
households, family unity at dinner doesn’t mean eating the exact same plate
— it means coming together to share time, laughter, and connection while
everyone enjoys what they love.
Instead
of the old-fashioned "Here’s dinner, now eat it," families are
finding joy in the mix-and-match magic of meal components —
fresh-prepared items everyone can combine to create their own perfect meal.
As
Alice May Brock so delightfully put it:
“Tomatoes
and oregano make it Italian, wine and tarragon make it French, sour cream makes
it Russian, lemon and cinnamon make it Greek, soy sauce makes it Chinese,
garlic makes it good.”
Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Foodservice Solutions®, perfectly
captured today’s foodservice transformation:
"Convenient
meal participation, differentiation, and individualization are each hallmarks
of the Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared grocerant niche."
Kids,
teenagers, and adults alike have expanded their palates. From
Korean BBQ to Mediterranean bowls, today's eaters have been exposed to a world
of flavors — but they don’t have the time (or skills) to cook it all from
scratch. Fresh-prepared meal components meet every craving, without the
pressure or mess, while keeping the joy of sharing a meal alive.
The
new American dinner isn’t a one-size-fits-all casserole
anymore — it’s a melting pot of choices, flavors, and memories, built
fresh from family-sized convenience.
5 Places to Pick Up Fresh Meal Components Today
1. Convenience
Stores: 7-Eleven
o Ready-to-eat
sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit, even sushi and protein snack packs. Great for
satisfying a kid who wants simple bites and a teen who wants something trendier
— fast.
2. Service
Delis: Costco
o Famous
for their flavorful rotisserie chickens, fresh shrimp platters, mac &
cheese trays, taco kits, and caesar salad bowls. You can feed everyone without
arguments — and at unbeatable value.
3. Restaurants:
Panera Bread
o Create
your own feast with their individual menu items: creamy mac & cheese,
seasonal soups, fresh salads, and signature sandwiches. Ideal for a
"build-your-own" family dinner spread.
4. Drive-Thrus:
Chick-fil-A
o Their
family meals let you pick entrees like nuggets or grilled chicken and sides
such as waffle fries, mac & cheese, or fruit cups. A simple way to make
both picky kids and adventurous teens happy.
5. Pickup
Locations: IKEA Swedish Food Market
o IKEA
offers more than furniture! Think Swedish meatballs, smoked salmon plates,
cinnamon buns, and plant-based veggie balls — all packed fresh and easy to heat
and serve at home. Perfect for global flavor exploration without leaving your
kitchen.
Today’s
fresh-prepared meal components aren't just convenient — they’re liberating.
They respect the individuality of every family member — from toddlers who want
finger foods, to teenagers who dream of spice and adventure, to parents who
want something green and good.
Family
dining is no longer about compromise — it’s about connection.
The
American family table is evolving into a joyful, flavor-packed celebration of
personal choice. And with so many fresh options available, it’s easier (and
more delicious) than ever to gather, share, and savor.
Drive Sales. Boost Profits. Stay a Step Ahead.
The
Foodservice Solutions® team is dedicated to helping you grow your
top-line sales and bottom-line profits.
Are
you looking a customer ahead? We have the strategies to get you there.
🌎
Visit GrocerantGuru.com
📩 Contact us: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us
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