EL SEGUNDO, California (AP) – Plant-based food company Beyond Meat will partner with several major fast food chains over the next few years to expand their offerings that could eventually include plant-based burgers, chalupas, or toppings on a stuffed crust pizza.
Beyond Meat announced distribution agreements on Thursday with McDonald’s and with Yum Brands, the parent company of KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut.
The El Segundo, California-based company said it will develop plant-based products for all restaurants, with exclusive menu items for each brand.
Beyond Meat previously had a limited partnership with McDonald’s and Yum Brands and tested its products in restricted regions or with just a few items. The companies are now expanding those ties.
Chicago-based McDonald’s will use the Beyond Meat partnership to roll out what it calls the “McPlant” burger, as well as eventually plant-based pork, egg and chicken products.
Yum will use Beyond Meat to expand its “Beyond Fried Chicken” products, as well as pizza toppings at Pizza Hut. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Yum has not set up specific menu options for Taco Bell.
Plant-based food products designed to imitate meat have grown in popularity in recent years, and several major restaurant chains are now experimenting with nutritional science to create healthier and more environmentally friendly products for customers. Burger King has partnered with Impossible Foods to provide products that also use plant-based products.