Veggies of the world rejoice – McDonald’s are going plant-based
McDonald’s are making a move into the plant-based market.
Ronald McDonald and co said they would be launching their own plant-based meat alternatives called ‘McPlant’ in 2021. It had long been speculated that McDonalds were going to partner with one of the largest plant-based meat alternative brands, but the hugely popular fast food chain has vowed to go it alone instead.
Beyond Meat – one of the world’s largest manufacturers of plant-based meat – were believed to be in the running to land the big Mac contract.
They were involved in trials of the ‘PLT’ at selected McDonald’s restaurants in Canada earlier this year. The PLT combined a plant-based meat alternative alongside – you’ve guessed it – lettuce and tomato.
The new McPlant range will look to offer burgers, chicken substitutes and breakfast sandwiches, which it expects to roll out in 2021.
However, the news that McDonald’s will produce their own plant-based food has impacted badly on Beyond Meat.
The company’s stock was down nearly eight per cent on Monday morning.
Neither company issued comment on their relationship, but McDonald’s CEO told analysts on a conference call that “Plant-based products are an ongoing consumer trend. It’s not a matter of if McDonald’s will get into plant-based, it’s a matter of when.”
McDonald’s were in the news recently when arch-rivals Burger King urged consumers to eat at Maccy D stores.
You’ve got to see it to believe it.
We know, we never thought we’d be saying this either. pic.twitter.com/cVRMSLSDq6
— Burger King (@BurgerKingUK) November 2, 2020
A Burger King statement read:
“We never thought we’d be asking you to [order from McDonalds’s]. Just like we never thought we’d be encouraging you to order from KFC, Subway, Domino’s Pizza, Pizza Hut, Five Guys, Greggs, Taco Bell, Papa John’s, Leon… or any other independent food outlets, too numerous to mention here. In short, from any of our sister food chains (fast or not so fast).
“We never thought we’d be asking you to do this, but restaurants employing thousands of staff really need your support at the moment.
“So, if you want to help, keep treating yourself to tasty meals through home delivery, takeaway, or drive thru.”
