# Salad-Focused Casual Restaurants This West Coast Chain Serves Locally Sourced Ingredients By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2016-05-16 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/locally-sourced-ingredients References: [fastcoexist](http://www.fastcoexist.com/3059532/this-california-salad-chain-is-bringing-its-cheap-local-food-to-new-york-city) & [tendergreens](http://www.tendergreens.com/) New York is set to become the newest location for a chain called Tender Greens, which serves up fresh, seasonal dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. While there are a number of salad-themed fast casual chains popping up across the country, this restaurant aims to give consumers access to higher-quality dishes. Similar to chains such as [Sweetgreen](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/menu-for-january), Dig Inn and [Chopt](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/destination-california), Tender Green serves up seasonal fare made from fresh ingredients. However, unlike other chains, Tender Green gives each of its chefs the freedom to change the menu based on weather, supply or whim. This means that chefs can procure higher-quality ingredients and serve up more unique dishes than what may be found at other fast casual chains. While the New York outposts will not grow fresh food on site (as is the case in California), the east coast locations will still specialize in serving locally grown ingredients. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.6/10 - Popularity: 32% | Activity: 37% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Locally Sourced Ingredients:** There is an opportunity for more fast casual chains to offer dishes made from locally sourced ingredients, allowing chefs to have more control over the menu and provide consumers with higher-quality dishes. - **Seasonal Fare:** Fast casual chains can offer dishes made from seasonal ingredients, giving chefs the freedom to make unique dishes that are only available for a limited time. - **Menu Flexibility:** Fast casual chains can offer more flexibility in their menus, allowing chefs to change the menu based on weather, supply or whim, and showcase unique ingredients that other chains may not have. ### Where This Applies - **Restaurant Industry:** Restaurants can focus on using locally sourced ingredients to create high-quality dishes that stand out from competitors. - **Agriculture Industry:** Local farmers can provide a growing opportunity for supplying ingredients to fast casual chains that focus on locally sourced produce. - **Technology Industry:** Restaurants can use technology to create flexible menus, showcasing unique ingredients and offering seasonal dishes to customers, increasing customer engagement and loyalty. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Seasonal Short Rib Dinners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/short-rib-dinner.md) - [Backyard Cookout-Inspired Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tender-greens-summer.md) - [California-Inspired Summer Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/destination-california.md) - [Italian-Style Pasta Bowls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portofino-bowl.md) - [Elevated Fast-Casual Entrees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/just-salad-market-plates.md) - [Chef-Driven Farm Salads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/farm-salad.md) - [Healthy Sea Bass Bowls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grilled-sea-bass-bowl.md) - [Salad-Based Restaurant Drive-Thrus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/just-salad-1.md) - [Remixed Italian Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/di-stefano-mozz.md)