OK. In the past couple of months, we’ve talked a lot about the rise of plant-based meat alternatives and how fast-food chains have quickly incorporated them into their menus. But how are those vegetarian options actually competing against meat-based options?
For an answer to this question, let’s have ourselves a look at Del Taco, which announced a partnership with meat alternative company Beyond Meat two months ago. Since then, the fast-food chain has been selling Beyond’s plant-based beef in its tacos at all of its 580 locations across the US. That decision seems to be paying dividends. Since the launch, the chain has sold two million Beyond Meat tacos—making it one of the most successful product launches in the company’s history. Are you reading this Taco Bell?
The reception to it’s new Beyond products has been so enthusiastic that Del Taco is launching additional Beyond products — the Beyond 8 Layer Burrito and the Epic Beyond Cali Burrito — and giving away free Beyond burritos with any purchase for a week, starting on June 20. The rest of the plant-based meat industry has been thriving too. Burger King has been expanding its Impossible Whoppers to stores across the country. Qdoba announced in April that it would serve Beyond Meat competitor Impossible Foods. And even industry giants Tyson and Purdue are pursuing their own plant-based product lines.
