QFC AVOIDS BEATEN PATH WITH ITS 'DINNER FOR ONE'

BELLEVUE, Wash. -- While some retailers have begun to tout meal packages designed to feed a family, Quality Food Centers here went in the other direction in a recent ad for a "dinner for one."

sage lasagna. These are served with either rice, rolls, vegetables or a salad. Don't want to cook tonight? Try QFC's dinner for one, $4.99 each."

Officials at QFC could not be reached for comment. A local source told SN the dinners were introduced about a month and a half ago, with an everyday price of $5.99.

The hot meals are prepared in-store. There is a meal-of-the-day for each day of the week, and they are ready for sale after 4 p.m., a deli staffer told SN.

She added, however, that a customer can order a meal other than the day's feature if the order is placed earlier. "If you wanted salmon, for instance, or flounder, you could call in the morning and the cook would have it ready for you after four," she said.

The meal of the day when SN called was beef and bean chimichangas with Mexican rice and refried beans.