Carl’s Jr restaurant menu includes Beyond Meat’s plant-based burger

Plant-based firm Beyond Meat has announced that restaurant chain Carl’s Jr has included its 100% plant-based burger on its menu in a bid to attract vegans and vegetarians.

Beginning this month, the Beyond Famous Star burger will be available at over 1,000 Carl’s Jr restaurants at $6.29.

Carl’s Jr is the largest restaurant partner of Beyond Meat, which has attracted investments from Hollywood actor Leonardo Di Caprio and Microsoft Corp founder Bill Gates.

Beyond Meat sells plant-based burger patties and sausages, non-GMO foods and heat-and-eat meals at retail outlets of Whole Foods Market and Kroger Co.

The plant-based products mimic the composition of animal ingredients. Proteins are drawn from peas, fava beans and soy that both look and taste like meat.

According to Carl’s Jr, its customers can also place orders for Beyond Burger patties on any Carl’s sandwich by paying an additional $2.

Carl’s Jr. parent company CKE Restaurants CEO Jason Marker said: “We know people are looking for options, in fact, roughly one-third of consumers identify as flexitarians and we’re thrilled to partner with Beyond Meat to bring more delicious, irresistible flavours to our menu.

“The new Beyond Famous Star is a true industry game-changer, and we’re proud to add it to our roster of innovative offerings and build on the legacy of mouthwatering flavours.”

In the first nine months of the financial year 2018, Beyond Meat saw a 167% increase in net revenue to $56.4m.

In November 2019, it filed for an initial public offering.

Amid increasing concerns about animal welfare and the environmental impact of animal farming, more consumers are embracing vegan or vegetarian diets, which are believed to be healthier.

In September, Beyond Meat’s rival Impossible Foods also introduced burgers at more than 300 outlets of White Castle in the US.