EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) – Vegetable food company Beyond Meat will partner with several major fast-food chains in the coming years to expand offerings that may include vegetable burgers, shampoos or toppings on a pizza-filled crust.
Beyond Meat on Thursday announced distribution agreements with McDonald’s as well as Yum Brands, the parent company of KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut.
The El Segundo, Calif.-Based company said it would develop herbal products for all restaurants, with menu items unique to each brand.
Beyond Meat had limited partnerships with McDonald’s and Yum Brands before, testing their products in limited geographic areas or with just one or two items. Companies are now expanding these ties.
Chicago-based McDonald’s will use the Beyond Meat partnership to launch what it is calling a “McPlant” burger, as well as, eventually, 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. Yum, based in Louisville, Kentucky, did not present specific menu options for Taco Bell.
Herbal food products that are designed to mimic meat have grown in popularity in recent years and several large restaurant chains are now experimenting with food science to make products healthier and more environmentally friendly for customers. Burger King has partnered with Impossible Foods to supply products that also use herbal products.