Meati Foods unveiled a new partnership with celebrity chefs, including David Chang of Momofuku. The meat-analogue producer has also joined forces with Charlie McKenna, World BBQ champion, and chef and owner of Lillie’s Q in Chicago. Tom Colicchio and Evan Funke have joined the Meati Culinary Collective, also.
Two plant-forward restaurant chains added limited-time menu offerings, including The Gobbler and Turkey Leftovers Sandwich. As the holiday season gets into full gear, Next Level Burger and Native Foods released their creative versions of plant-based turkey. As vegan and vegetarian diets remain popular, the moves appear on trend.
Native Foods launched breakfast, with and Fully Loaded Breakfast Sandwich and Savory Breakfast Sandwich as additions. The vegan fast casual also rolled out its seasonal, fall-winter menu. The new menu includes Pesto Grilled Cheese with Tomato Bisque, Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese Bowl, Almost Famous Bowl, and Pumpkin Cheesecake Parfait.
Taco Bell released a new Beyond Carne Asada Steak, partnering with Beyond Meat. The plant-based protein will debut exclusively at select restaurants in Dayton, Ohio.
Chipotle Mexican Grill invested in Hyphen, a robotics foodservice platform to automate kitchen operations and Meati Foods, a producer of mushroom root-based clean, plant-based protein. Both investments are financed through Chipotle’s Cultivate Next, a $50M venture fund.
Plant-based dairy producer Eclipse Foods completed a Series B funding round of over $40M led by Sozo Ventures. Forerunner Ventures, Initialized Capital, Gaingels, and KBW Ventures also participated. The infusion will propel growth of the manufacturer in retail and foodservice. In addition, Eclipse Foods will be able to accelerate R&D of the company’s plant-based dairy platform, build a world-class team and drive awareness of Eclipse as a top dairy replacement product, according to a statement.
In partnership with TiNDLE, Veggie Grill launched Grilled BBQ Chick’n Sandwich and Chinese Chick’n Salad at its locations nationwide. Thirty restaurants in five markets will serve the 100% plant-based “chick’n” menu items with this new rollout.
Vegan fast-casual Native Foods introduced Chickpea Tuna Melt with Nori to feature during the month of June. This is just one of many culinary creations on tap at the fast casual restaurant chain after hiring chef Chris Bertke.
Noodles and Company debuted an Impossible Orange Chicken Lo Mein made with Panko Chicken in select markets. The partnership with Impossible Foods led to the introduction of a chicken-like protein that is made from plants. The rollout occurred at select restaurants in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington.
Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar launched a 5 Wings for $1 with any Handcrafted Burger limited-time promotion. The offer covers carryout orders, delivery and dine-in service. The Glendale, Calif.-based restaurant chain also debuted an Impossible Cheeseburger.
