The fast food industry has come a long way from its origins of greasy burgers and fries. As more people adopt vegetarian or vegan diets, or simply look to reduce their meat consumption for health or environmental reasons, many major fast food chains have risen to the challenge and now offer great meatless options that don’t compromise on taste.
One of the pioneers in this regard is Burger King, which introduced its Impossible Whopper in 2019. This burger uses a patty from Impossible Foods, a company that specializes in making plant-based meat substitutes. The result is a burger that looks, cooks, and tastes like beef but is completely meat-free. It’s been so successful that it’s now a permanent part of their menu.
Subway also joined the plant-based bandwagon with its Beyond Meatball Marinara sub. Made with Beyond Meat’s plant-based meatballs covered in marinara sauce and topped with cheese, it’s just as hearty as the original but without any actual meat.
Taco Bell has always been somewhat friendly to vegetarians thanks to their bean burritos and other veggie-friendly options. But they’ve taken it up another notch by partnering with Beyond Meat to create an innovative new plant-based protein that will be tested in the next year.
KFC made headlines when they trialed Beyond Fried Chicken – nuggets made entirely from plants at select locations across America. After selling out within hours during its initial launch at an Atlanta branch, KFC expanded testing to other states due to high consumer demand.
Pizza Hut too deserves mention for being one of the first pizza chains offering vegan cheese as an option nationwide after successful trials back in 2017. They’ve since expanded their offerings by introducing two pizzas featuring Beyond Meat’s Italian sausage: The Great Beyond Pizza and the Beyond Italian Sausage Pizza.
Chipotle Mexican Grill offers Sofritas – tofu braised with peppers and spices – as a protein option for all their dishes. They also have a variety of other vegetarian and vegan-friendly options like beans, rice, and fajita vegetables.
McDonald’s has been somewhat late to the game but is catching up fast. Their McPlant burger, developed in collaboration with Beyond Meat, has started testing in select locations worldwide.
These are just some examples of how fast food chains are embracing plant-based alternatives to cater to a wider audience. These meatless options not only allow vegetarians and vegans to enjoy fast food without compromising on their dietary choices but also offer an alternative for those looking to reduce their meat intake. With more fast food chains expected to introduce plant-based options in the future, it seems like we’re only seeing the beginning of this trend.