BEYOND MEAT:

UPDATE (August 28, 2019): KFC’s test run of its Beyond Meat fried chicken substitute was reportedly a big success. According to sources, the selected Atlanta branch completely sold out its supply in less than five hours, with lines outside beginning to form at 8 AM. While no firm number was provided, the chain revealed that the amount of Beyond Chicken sold is equivalent to the amount of popcorn chicken the branch sells in a week.

There is currently no word on what KFC and Beyond Meat will do next with their partnership, but the fast food chain will examine the dry run’s data and customer feedback for a better understanding of the demand for plant-based meat.

ORIGINAL POST (August 26, 2019): Colonel Sanders‘ 11 herb and spices will find itself sprinkled upon KFC and Beyond Meat‘s brand new plant-based vegan fried chicken this coming Tuesday (August 27) in Atlanta. The traditional fast-food chicken joint will partner with Beyond Meat to become the first chain to introduce a vegan chicken alternative. In an interview in May, KFC’s U.S. head stated they did not have plans to introduce a vegan alternative, but that it would be meeting with major suppliers to learn more about meatless meats. Around the same time, Beyond Meat pulled its vegan chicken from grocery stories after stating it was not up to standards.

Depending on customer reaction, KFC will decide how to move forward with the product for an eventual nationwide release. The alternative meat strategy has been a success for other restaurant chains such as Burger King and its Impossible Burger, with KFC hoping the alternate option will bring in vegan customers and those who are cutting down on their meat intake.

For those that have yet to try Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen‘s popular Chicken Sandwich, the fast-food purveyor recently announced that its highly sought after menu item will be sold out in the next few days.

Weeks ahead of schedule, Popeyes’ original supply was forecasted to last seven weeks but demand seen in the last two weeks since its launch has ensured that sales of the sandwich will need to be halted. In its statement, the chain noted that it is “working tirelessly” with its suppliers to bring the sandwich back to its restaurants across the country as soon as possible. Taking the chance to ask customers to download the Popeyes app in the App Store or Google Play and sign up for push notifications to be alerted once the highly sought after menu item returns.

Adding to its meatless menu options, Subway recently announced its latest partnership with plant-based protein purveyor Beyond Meat. Starting September, 685 participating locations throughout the United States and Canada will be serving the Beyond Meatball Marinara sandwich for a limited time only.

Reimagining the menu favorite, the sandwich comes perfectly toasted and topped with the first-ever Beyond Meatballs blanketed with marinara sauce and grated parmesan cheese. Despite being meatless, the Beyond Meatball Marinara packs 24 grams of protein per six-inch sub. The new menu option serves as Subway’s move to introduce more plant-based protein options to meet the growing flexitarian diets of consumers.

Look for Subway’s Beyond Meatball Marinara sandwich to be available at select locations starting September.