Here's an interesting facet of the British model: when you have two subsidized private operators on the same route, often the amenities determine who the passenger chooses. This could include food. Last time I was in Britain, I can think of three times I chose a train over another due at least in part to food. From Crewe to London I could take LNWR's bare bones MU or VT's Pendolino with cafe car. From London to Inverness and return I chose Caledonian Sleeper over Highland Chieftan (LNER) due to the breakfast on the sleeper (and the sleep aspect). From London to north Wales I chose the "Gerald of Wales" over a VT option due to the full diner and on-board chef.
Perhaps on routes here with duplicate services we could see some innovations where the food gets better and draws passengers. Imagine if the Star and Meteor were run by competing franchises, what would they do different for food? If there were two Keystone or Albany franchises, would one introduce food? Perhaps on one or both trains the cafe car would see a extra fee to sit at a table or be eliminated in favor of a cart and/or ordering hot meals online that are made in the baggage car or delivered at stations en-route by commissary?
Post script, I kind of regret not taking the Highland Chieftan as it was in the waning days of LNER HST service. I rode the sleeper in order to use the MkIII sleepers in their last days, indeed they were 6 months late for retirement, but the HST is a really great train. It was only intended to be a stopgap equipment until full electrification of the main lines to Scotland but operated 45 years on mainlines and is still in use in Scotland and the secondary services. Since that August 2020 trip, the MkIII's have been retired from the Chieftan, the Sleeper, and are about to be retired from the Gerald in favor of used MkIV LNER stock.
And for what it's worth, this is dining on Britain's premier long distance train right before the 1968-era MkII diner was replaced. There are usually 2-3 lounge hybrid cars of four couches and perhaps 6-8 tables for 2ish.
This is the sole lounge/diner on the Night Riviera - a food/drink bar with quite a few four-seat tables. This is a very-recently refreshed 1975-era MkIII.
And finally the Gerald of Wales first class, which is a full MkIII diner where patrons keep their seat all night. The big overstuffed chairs are a delight.
The new Acela: It's not Aveliable.