1851

Remember 2019, when the biggest news items were <a href="https://1851franchise.com/everyone-get-ready-the-chicken-sandwich-wars-just-got-even-spicier-2710848">the Chicken Sandwich Wars</a> and <a href="https://1851franchise.com/2019s-most-newsworthy-item-in-the-burger-segment-the-plant-based-explosion-2711513#stories">plant-based meats</a>? Well, it appears that Jack in the Box is throwing it back to the pre-pandemic days with the rollout of its new “unchicken” sandwich.&nbsp;Jack in the Box and <a href="https://www.tysonfoods.com/news/news-releases/2019/6/tyson-foods-unveils-alternative-protein-products-and-new-raised-rootedr?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=plant-based-meat-menu-items-are-making-a-comeback-2714090" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Raised &amp; Rooted, Tyson Foods' brand for alternative protein products</a>, have debuted Jack’s Unchicken and Spicy Unchicken sandwiches in select locations in Monterey and Salinas, California, and Reno, Nevada, <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jack-in-the-box-introduces-first-ever-unchicken-sandwiches-in-the-us-301153630.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=plant-based-meat-menu-items-are-making-a-comeback-2714090" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">according to a press release</a>.&nbsp;While menu innovation, especially plant-based product releases, were mostly paused during the height of the pandemic in March and April, the addition of alternative protein options began to increase in the summer and fall at chains including <a href="https://www.restaurantnews.com/corner-bakery-brings-new-beyond-meat-menu-items-nationwide-following-successful-los-angeles-test-last-year-092120/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=plant-based-meat-menu-items-are-making-a-comeback-2714090" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Corner Bakery</a>, <a href="https://www.ocbj.com/news/2020/jun/08/habit-burger-expands-menu-plant-based-options/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=plant-based-meat-menu-items-are-making-a-comeback-2714090" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Habit Burger</a>, <a href="https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/starbucks-continues-plant-based-push-with-impossible-breakfast-sandwich/580349/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=plant-based-meat-menu-items-are-making-a-comeback-2714090" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Starbucks</a>, <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/papa-murphys-pizza-launch-new-plant-based-pepperoni?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=plant-based-meat-menu-items-are-making-a-comeback-2714090" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Papa Murphy’s</a>, <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/kfcs-plant-based-chicken-headed-southern-california?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=plant-based-meat-menu-items-are-making-a-comeback-2714090" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">KFC</a> and <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/wawa-adds-plant-based-breakfast-sandwich?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=plant-based-meat-menu-items-are-making-a-comeback-2714090" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Wawa</a>.The plant-based meat trend started in January 2019 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=plant-based-meat-menu-items-are-making-a-comeback-2714090" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Beyond Famous Star</a> burger at 1,100 locations nationwide. After the success of that item, a swarm of brands in the burger segment followed 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=plant-based-meat-menu-items-are-making-a-comeback-2714090" 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=plant-based-meat-menu-items-are-making-a-comeback-2714090" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">White Castle.</a> As opposed to the vegetarian options of the past, this new generation of plant-based proteins smells, tastes and even bleeds like real meat.The trend climaxed 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 compared to the previous month. 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=plant-based-meat-menu-items-are-making-a-comeback-2714090" 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. After Burger King relaunched its Impossible Whopper, it drove 5% of the chain’s U.S. comp sales during Q3 2019.&nbsp;When it comes to plant-based chicken, KFC sold out of its menu item in less than five hours during a trial in Atlanta. The company has since brought the item to several new markets, <a href="https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/yum-brands-adds-kfcs-beyond-fried-chicken-to-2-new-markets/571308/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=plant-based-meat-menu-items-are-making-a-comeback-2714090" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">serving it for a limited time</a> in Nashville, Tennessee, and Charlotte, North Carolina. The company <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/16/business/kfc-beyond-meat-chicken/index.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=plant-based-meat-menu-items-are-making-a-comeback-2714090" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">expanded the product to 50 locations</a> in Southern California in July.&nbsp;While KFC was one of the first QSRs to test a plant-based chicken product, Jack in the Box appears to be the first to launch a plant-based chicken sandwich, which could pique consumer interest.&nbsp;As plant-based menu items start popping up again, the future for the industry looks bright. Prices could drop in the future with more options available to foodservice providers than just Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods. Along with Tyson Foods' expansion into the plant-based realm, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nestle-plant-based/no-meat-please-nestle-may-extend-plant-based-burger-partnerships-idUSKCN1TC1EA?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=plant-based-meat-menu-items-are-making-a-comeback-2714090" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Nestlé</a>, Morningstar and <a href="https://www.fooddive.com/news/before-the-butcher-launches-plant-based-burgers-costing-the-same-as-beef/586442/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=plant-based-meat-menu-items-are-making-a-comeback-2714090" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Before the Butcher</a> have announced new products. Having more suppliers will also help avoid those supply shortages, which left a lot of independent restaurants in the lurch.&nbsp;Consumer sentiment has also shifted since the start of the year, with 30% of consumers in August compared to 23% of consumers in January saying they would likely switch to another restaurant brand that offered plant-based meats,<a href="https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/jack-in-the-box-serves-up-plant-based-chicken-sandwich/587175/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=plant-based-meat-menu-items-are-making-a-comeback-2714090" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> according to a survey by Revenue Management Services</a>. But while 49% say they are willing to pay more for plant-based meats, 53% believe they are too expensive. Despite the cost, 49% of consumers said they have eaten plant-based proteins over the last 12 months and 39% said they are eating them weekly.Although plant-based meat alternatives may not be as relevant as they once were, it's unclear whether consumers were just momentarily curious about plant-based foods or whether this trend is in it for the long haul.

Plant-Based Meat Menu Items are Making a Comeback

1851 Franchise

Menu innovation has largely been paused during the pandemic, but brands like Jack in the Box are starting to roll out alternative protein options again.

plant-based-meat-menu-items-are-making-a-comeback

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue’s Home Maintenance Plans: Peace of Mind for Homeowners

trublues-home-maintenance-plans-peace-of-mind-for-homeowners

Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions Targets Peoria, Illinois, for Franchise Growth

caring-transitions-targets-peoria-illinois-for-franchise-growth

Caring Transitions Celebrates a Strong Start to 2025 With 19 New Franchise Sales and Momentum-Building Training Events

caring-transitions-celebrates-a-strong-start-to-2025-with-19-new-franchise-sales-and-momentum-building-training-events

Right at Home

Right at Home 30th Anniversary in Home Care with Right at Home Logo

Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence and Future Innovations in Home Care

celebrating-30-years-of-excellence-and-future-innovations-in-home-care

Why TruBlue is the Ideal Franchise for Multi-Unit Owners: Scalable Growth With a Purpose

why-trublue-is-the-ideal-franchise-for-multi-unit-owners-scalable-growth-with-a-purpose

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 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

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands - 1851 Franchise

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands

doordash-acquistions-deliveroo-sevenrooms

Crumbl Franchise Investment - TSG Consumer Partners -  1851 Franchise

TSG Consumer Partners Takes Minority Stake in Crumbl, Signaling Franchise Growth Potential

crumbl-franchise-investment-tsg-consumer

Yum Brands Reports Strong Q1 Results with Big Boost from Taco Bell

yum-brands-reports-strong-q1-results-with-big-boost-from-taco-bell

QSR: McDonald’s Gains Momentum With Chicken Innovation, Value Deals and Franchisee Support

mcdonalds-franchise-recovery-chicken-strategy-value-deals-2025

The Future of Franchising: Trends and Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

the-future-of-franchising-trends-and-predictions-for-2025-and-beyond

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Amy Lepke and family and Papa Murphy's logo

After 14 Years as a Stay-At-Home Mom, Amy Lepke Returned to Papa Murphy’s — This Time as an Owner

papa-murphys-franchise-amy-lepke

Franchisee Spotlight with Micki Waters and Papa Murphy's Logo

Work Mom: How Micki Waters Became a Mother Figure to Her Entire Papa Murphy’s Team

work-mom-how-micki-waters-became-a-mother-figure-to-her-entire-papa-murphys-team

District Taco Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-district-tacos-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Franchisee spotlight image with photo of Robert Trujillo and UWRG logo on blue background

How Robert Trujillo Expanded His Construction Business With UWRG

how-robert-trujillo-expanded-his-construction-business-with-uwrg

Plant-Based Meat Menu Items are Making a Comeback

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS