Fast food restaurants in America are being urged to catch up with the plant-based food revolution sweeping the country. In its third annual Good Food Restaurant scorecard, The Good Food Institute (GFI) reveals 42 of 100 restaurant chains are currently failing to offer plant-based entree options.
Writing for Innovators Magazine this week, GFI co-founder, Bruce Friedrich, laid out some of the environmental gains to be made from switching to ‘plant-based meat that could satisfy the most dedicated meat eater’. GFI’s new scorecard data also shows chains are missing a huge opportunity by dragging their heals, as the mainstream demand for these products continues to grow exponentially, with ‘broadline foodservice sales’ up 37% in the past year.
“More top U.S. restaurants are stepping into plant-based or stepping up their existing game to cater to customers looking for more center-of-plate protein variety,” said The Good Food Institute Foodservice and Supply Chain Manager Zak Weston.
“Having a strategy for plant-based is now a business imperative.”
And in America the majority, 58 of 100, of the big names are investing in these products. With the likes of Burger King and Taco Bell among the global brands that have grabbed the headlines in recent times.
“We believe that everyone has the right to craveable, bold, Mexican-inspired flavours – no matter your dietary lifestyle—and we aim to provide more plant-based menu choices than anyone else. We have long been a haven for vegans and vegetarians, who replace meat for beans on almost any of our menu items. We look forward to continuing to innovate and find ways to make ordering plant-based at Taco Bell even more accessible at a great value,” added Taco Bell Corp Chief Food Innovation Officer Liz Matthews.
