Beyond Meat has signed new global strategic agreements with McDonald’s and Yum! Brands to add signature plant-based menu items to the fast-food chains.
The company has struck a three-year global agreement with McDonald’s, which will see Beyond Meat become the fast-food chain’s preferred supplier for the patty in the McPlant, a new plant-based burger being tested in select markets.
As part of the deal, Beyond Meat and McDonald’s will explore co-developing other plant-based menu items such as plant-based chicken, pork and egg alternatives, under the broader McPlant platform.
The announcement expands the existing partnership between McDonald’s and Beyond Meat, which began with a plant-based burger trial in Canada in 2019.
“We’re excited to work with Beyond Meat to drive innovation in this space, and entering into this strategic agreement is an important step on our journey to bring delicious, high quality, plant-based menu items to our customers,” said Francesca DeBiase, McDonald’s executive vice president and chief supply chain officer.
Ethan Brown, Beyond Meat founder and CEO, added: “We will combine the power of Beyond Meat’s rapid and relentless approach to innovation with the strength of McDonald’s global brand to introduce craveable, new plant-based menu items that consumers will love.”
Under Beyond Meat’s partnership with Yum! Brands, the companies will co-create and offer plant-based protein menu items that can only be found at KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell over the next several years.
The agreement expands on previous collaborations, such as KFC trialling plant-based chicken at an Atlanta restaurant in 2019. Since the initial rollout, KFC has expanded testing of Beyond Fried Chicken in other US cities. Last year, Pizza Hut launched the Beyond Italian Sausage Pizza and Great Beyond Pizza nationwide.
“Today’s announcement builds on our strong relationship with Beyond Meat and, given the consumer response during recent tests with Beyond Meat, we’re excited about the long-term potential plant-based protein menu items have to attract more customers to our brands, especially younger consumers,” said Chris Turner, Yum! Brands CFO.
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