US-based burger chain McDonald Corporation has planned to introduce its own “McPlant,” plant-based meat substitute menu in 2021, including a patty made by Beyond Meat, a US-based producer of plant-based meat substitutes.
According to the spokesperson of Beyond Meat, “Beyond Meat and McDonald’s co-created the plant-based patty which will be available as part of their McPlant platform.”
Shares of plant-based meat maker dropped 8 percent after McDonald’s revealed its McPlant line recently. McDonald’s, which reported market-beating profit and revenue for the third quarter, did not reveal which suppliers will be used in crafting its own line of veggie products.
Beyond Meat is the leading company for the deal as it had performed tests of a so-called ‘P.L.T.’ burger at nearly 100 McDonald’s locations at Ontario in Canada, earlier this year. “P.L.T” burgers are plant-based burger on a sesame seed bun from McDonald’s, with a patty made by Beyond Meat.
Chris Kempczinski, CEO, McDonald’s said, “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 plans have been closely watched by analysts, rival fast-food firms and plant-based protein producers as it is one of the few national chains yet to permanently sell plant-based meat burgers.
While other franchises have begun to sell plant-based meat alternatives, including Restaurant Brands International Incorporations Burger King, White Castle and Dunkin’ Brands Group Incorporation, the McDonald’s deal may be the largest and will put the plant-based meat movement in the mainstream.
McDonald’s added that it will sell items like burgers, chicken substitutes and breakfast sandwiches under its McPlant brand which is expected to be tested in some markets in 2021.
