1851

Without a doubt, the biggest trend in the <a href="https://1851franchise.com/comparing-franchise-brands-in-the-burger-industry-2710339#stories">burger segment of the franchise industry</a> this year was the rise of plant-based meat alternatives. <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/bridgetshirvell/2019/09/09/more-than-50-of-millennials-trying-to-incorporate-plant-based-foods-into-their-diet/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=2019s-most-newsworthy-item-in-the-burger-segment-the-plant-based-explosion-2711513#709032b25ebf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">As millennials demand healthier and more eco-friendly food options</a>, brands like Impossible Burger and Beyond Meat have begun revolutionizing the quick-service restaurant industry by partnering with some of the segment’s biggest franchise brands. As opposed to the vegetarian options of the past, this new generation of plant-based proteins smells, tastes and even bleeds like real meat.&nbsp;It started in January when <a href="https://1851franchise.com/carls-jr-adds-plant-based-burger-to-its-menu-at-1100-locations-2708772">Carl’s Jr. cooked up a partnership with Beyond Meat</a> to roll out <a href="https://www.carlsjr.com/beyondburger?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=2019s-most-newsworthy-item-in-the-burger-segment-the-plant-based-explosion-2711513" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Beyond Famous Star</a> burger at 1,100 locations nationwide. After the success of Carl’s Jr., tons of brands in the burger segment began following suit, including sister brand <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/menu-innovations/hardees-jumps-plant-based-train?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=2019s-most-newsworthy-item-in-the-burger-segment-the-plant-based-explosion-2711513" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Hardee’s</a> and <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/exclusives/white-castle-marches-new-territory?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=2019s-most-newsworthy-item-in-the-burger-segment-the-plant-based-explosion-2711513" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">White Castle.</a>The biggest moment came in June when <a href="https://1851franchise.com/burger-king-is-taking-the-impossible-whopper-national-2709807">Burger King launched its Impossible Whopper nationwide</a> in an effort to appeal to both long-time vegetarians and a younger, more eco-conscious audience. The offering was an explosive success, with Burger King experiencing a 17% increase in visits from the previous month.&nbsp;In fact, the rollout may have been too successful. In May, the demand for Burger King’s Impossible Whopper <a href="https://1851franchise.com/impossible-burgers-struggle-to-keep-up-with-demand-2709836#franbuzz">proved to be too much for the Impossible Foods company to keep up with</a>. While the shortage hit independent operators the hardest, QSR chains like <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-06-13/impossible-burgers-go-missing-from-white-castle-red-robin?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=2019s-most-newsworthy-item-in-the-burger-segment-the-plant-based-explosion-2711513" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">White Castle and Red Robin</a> even reported shortages of the plant-based patties. Although meat alternatives require only a fraction of the resources of real meat, the production process is comparatively expensive and time-consuming.Most recently, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/mcdonalds-takes-a-bite-out-of-the-plant-based-competition-with-the-plt-2711136#franbuzz">McDonald’s has taken notice of the plant-based trend</a> and recently announced its partnership with Beyond Meat and its plan to launch a P.L.T. (a.k.a. Plant, Lettuce and Tomato) item in Canada. As the biggest player in the burger segment, the partnership is bound to make an impression on the franchising industry as a whole.&nbsp;Since Beyond Meat made its public market debut earlier this year, the brand’s <a href="https://1851franchise.com/beyond-meat-s-revenue-increases-by-a-whopping-486-in-2019-2710617">restaurant and foodservice revenue have increased by 486%,</a> growing to $58.3 million in the first half of 2019. Beyond's restaurant and foodservice division are now responsible for roughly half of the plant-based meat company's revenue, with retail driving $53.7 million. <a href="https://1851franchise.com/impossible-foods-partners-with-major-meat-processor-to-produce-fake-meat-2710622#most-recent">Impossible Foods recently turned to OSI</a>, a popular meat producer, to help fabricate faux meat.Still, many franchisors are asking if <a href="https://1851franchise.com/capitalspring/are-plant-based-alternatives-here-to-stay-2710740#stories">the trend is here to stay</a>. Either way, shortages may not be a problem for anyone if 2019’s plant-based buzz is destined to fade away. Recent research that suggests most burger-loving Americans are <a href="https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/despite-plant-based-boom-beef-burgers-still-reign-supreme/559031/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=2019s-most-newsworthy-item-in-the-burger-segment-the-plant-based-explosion-2711513" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">overwhelmingly still ordering beef</a> at QSRs. Although plant-based meat alternatives have been on the lips of everyone in the burger segment, it's unclear whether consumers are just momentarily curious about plant-based foods or whether this newsworthy trend is in it for the long haul.

2019’s Most Newsworthy Item in the Burger Segment: The Plant-Based Explosion

1851 Franchise

This year, the burger segment saw a huge rise in the popularity of plant-based meat alternatives, with Beyond Meat and Impossible Burger options being added to the menus of QSR’s biggest players.

2019s-most-newsworthy-item-in-the-burger-segment-the-plant-based-explosion

Mosquito Squad Plus

How This Marine Corps Veteran Found Freedom and Purpose With Mosquito Squad

how-this-marine-corps-veteran-found-freedom-and-purpose-with-mosquito-squad

Spadea Lignana Franchise Attorneys

How The DeFelice Brothers Turned a $10,000 Loan Into an Award-Winning Franchise With Help From Spadea Lignana

how-the-defelice-brothers-turned-a-10000-loan-into-an-award-winning-franchise-with-help-from-spadea-lignana

Caring Transitions

How This Gilbert Entrepreneur Found Purpose Helping Families Through Life’s Transitions

how-this-gilbert-entrepreneur-found-purpose-helping-families-through-lifes-transitions

USA Ninja Challenge

Where Passion Meets Purpose: USA Ninja Challenge Gives Franchisees the Power to Change Lives

where-passion-meets-purpose-usa-ninja-challenge-gives-franchisees-the-power-to-change-lives

SweatHouz

From Finance to Wellness: Natalie Siewers’ Path to Leading SweatHouz in Northern Virginia

sweathouz-franchise-northern-virginia-natalie-siewers

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Thursday 1851 Franchise Agg - NASAA’s Noncompete Push

NASAA’s Noncompete Push Puts Franchise Growth on Uncertain Ground

franchise-noncompete-nasaa-advisory-reasonableness-standard

How a Steady Economy Could Help Franchisors Plan Their Next Move

how-a-steady-economy-could-help-franchisors-plan-their-next-move

Bed Bath & Beyond - Franchise Expansion - Retail Strategy - 1851 Franchise

Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Franchise Model as Part of Comeback Strategy

bed-bath-beyond-franchise-expansion-retail-strategy

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

U.S. Government Shutdown - Impact on Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Government Shutdown Stalls SBA Loans: How the Shutdown Could Impact Franchises

government-shutdown-impacts-sba-loans-tourism-franchises

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

Subway Franchisees Resist Expensive Remodel Directives

subway-franchisees-resist-expensive-remodel-directives

Friendly’s Parent Company Acquired by Multi-Unit Franchisee as More Owners Take the Lead in Brand Acquisitions 

friendlys-parent-company-acquired-by-multi-unit-franchisee-as-more-owners-take-the-lead-in-brand-acquisitions

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

2019’s Most Newsworthy Item in the Burger Segment: The Plant-Based Explosion

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS