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The idea of a plated meal with a side dish of vegetables or starch traditionally takes place in a sit down restaurant environment. According to a recent QSR Magazine article, the fast-casual 2.0 segment is a growing category that has embraced plated meals featuring entrees and a side dish. Menus are usually pre-selected and customers can choose from a variety of proteins&nbsp;to be able to mix and match their meals.

&ldquo;The customization here is more in choosing the sides, but the [entr&eacute;e] is set,&rdquo; says Claire Conaghan, a senior account manager at market research firm Datassential. &ldquo;[Chefs] have sort of decided what&rsquo;s best for the entr&eacute;e, more like a casual restaurant.&rdquo;

The pricing at fast casual 2.0 restaurants is typically higher than a fast casual, but diners still order at a counter and receive food in 10 minutes or less. The plated meal serves as an alternative to most traditional lunch foods as well such as sandwiches and salads.

&ldquo;Everybody eats salads and sandwiches for lunch, so we had to add those, but when I go out to lunch, I might want a hot plate, like grilled chicken and steamed vegetables,&rdquo; says founder and chief executive of Dish Society, Aaron Lyons. &ldquo;So we&rsquo;ve incorporated them.&rdquo;

Check out the <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/menu-innovations/plated-dishes-these-brands-are-fine-while-fast?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=qsr-magazine-with-plated-dishes-these-brands-are-fine-while-fast-7079" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">full story here</a>.

QSR Magazine: With Plated Dishes, These Brands Are Fine While Fast

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The fast casual 2.0 segment is embracing the plated meal and customization.

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QSR Magazine: With Plated Dishes, These Brands Are Fine While Fast

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