Feeling like having a midnight snack, but you have vegan friends over? No worries, McDonald (MCD) has got your back, or at least if you're living in the UK and Ireland, for now. You see, the world's largest fast-food chain will begin rolling out the McPlant burger after having previously run vegetarian versions of the patty as a trial back in 2020.
The meat-free, all-vegan patty was the result of a strategic global agreement with Beyond Meat (BYND), in which the company will become McDonald's preferred supplier for the McPlant burger. The two companies also agreed to explore new plant-based options that will enrich McDonald's broader McPlant platform. By partnering up with McDonald's, Beyond Meat has avoided a potential competitor in the meat-free industry, while also dipping its feet in the fast-food industry. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, right?
Why it matters
McDonald's is just the latest fast-food chain adding meat-free options to their menu. Burger King (BURGERKING) has recently signed a partnership deal with Unilever's (ULVR) subsidiary The Vegetarian Butcher for their Rebel Whopper burgers and with Impossible Foods for their Impossible Burger 2.0. Meanwhile, KFC partnered with Meat Zero to supply their vegan fried chicken.
