1851

Taco Bell is getting in on the plant-based trend with meatless carne asada made with Beyond Meat.&nbsp;The option will be available at dozens of Dayton, Ohio locations starting October 13,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/21/taco-bell-to-test-long-awaited-beyond-meat-carne-asada-in-ohio-next-month.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=taco-bell-to-test-beyond-meats-plant-based-carne-asada-2719803" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CNBC</a> reported. Taco Bell plans to include Beyond Carne Asada in its quesadilla, but customers can add the meat alternative to other orders as well. The meat-free steak is made from vital wheat gluten and fava bean protein to attempt to replicate the taste and texture of traditional carne asada.&nbsp;&nbsp;Though Taco Bell’s parent company Yum Brands has been slow to adopt plant-based meat alternatives, the chain has actually had a passionate vegan and vegetarian following for years due to its meat-free options, such as potatoes and black beans, and customizable menu.&nbsp;Earlier this year, Taco Bell&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/18/taco-bell-tests-its-own-meat-substitute-ahead-of-beyond-meat-launch-later-this-year.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=taco-bell-to-test-beyond-meats-plant-based-carne-asada-2719803" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">also tested its own plant-based meat</a> substitute made from soy and pea protein at its restaurants in Birmingham, Alabama.&nbsp;In 2021, Yum Brands signed a deal with Beyond Meat to create exclusive menu items for its chains, which also include KFC and Pizza Hut. It took longer than anticipated to create a carne asada alternative that Taco Bell was satisfied with. According to Missy Schaaphok, Taco Bell’s director of global nutrition and sustainability, the product has been in the works for almost two years.Taco Bell says it wants to make plant-based products more affordable for consumers. Price parity with meat is part of Beyond Meat’s long-term goals. The company believes cheaper meat substitutes will lead more consumers to change their diets.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fooddive.com/news/plant-based-price-parity-will-lead-to-exponential-growth-study-finds/620690/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=taco-bell-to-test-beyond-meats-plant-based-carne-asada-2719803" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">A report</a> from management consulting firm Kearney found that&nbsp;three-quarters of consumers were likely to purchase plant-based products in the next year. For the remaining 25% who did not plan on purchasing, the price was one of the biggest factors, with more than half (53%) saying the price was a limiting factor.&nbsp;

Taco Bell to Test Beyond Meat’s Plant-Based Carne Asada

1851 Franchise

The fast-food chain is the latest to add a new plant-based meat to its menu. 

taco-bell-to-test-beyond-meats-plant-based-carne-asada

Seniors Helping Seniors®

Photo of two people, with white hair, sitting on couch, smiling at each other

Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Care Services Expands in Manassas and Fredericksburg, Virginia

seniors-helping-seniors-in-home-care-services-expands-in-manassas-and-fredericksburg-virginia

BooXkeeping

Tech-Driven Bookkeeping: How BooXkeeping Franchisees Are Embracing the Future

tech-driven-bookkeeping-how-booxkeeping-franchisees-are-embracing-the-future

Fitness Premier

Fitness Premier's State-of-the-Art Facilities and Multi-Discipline Approach Fuels Franchise Owner Success

fitness-premiers-state-of-the-art-facilities-and-multi-discipline-approach-fuels-franchise-owner-success

Melting Pot

Melting Pot 50th anniversary photo, featuring three people enjoying celebratory drinks and fondue

Melting Pot Celebrates 50 Years of Fondue Magic With a Year of Special Menus, New Offerings and Unforgettable Moments

melting-pot-50th-anniversary-fondue-celebration

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions

Kathy Turner: The Filta Franchisee Keeping LA's Kitchens Cooking (and Green)

kathy-turner-the-filta-franchisee-keeping-las-kitchens-cooking-and-green

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

Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs To Retire in 2026 After 36 Years With the Company

yum-brands-ceo-david-gibbs-to-retire-in-2026-after-36-years-with-the-company

Hooters Bankruptcy - Chapter 11 - April 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Files for Bankruptcy, Sells Restaurants to Franchisee Group

hooters-bankruptcy-chapter-11-april-2025

Fly Dance Fitness Expands With First Franchise Location in Georgia

fly-dance-fitness-franchise-expansion

&pizza - Fast-Casual Pizza Chain Begins Franchising - 1851 Franchise

&pizza Embraces Franchising To Fuel Bold New Growth Strategy

andpizza-franchising-ceo-mike-burns

CFOs See Recession as Likely in ’25; Why Now Is the Time To Water the Franchise Buyer Seeds

cfos-see-recession-as-likely-in-25-why-now-is-the-time-to-water-the-franchise-buyer-seeds

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

1851 Agg - McDonald's Sales Decline Expansion Continues - 1851 Franchise

McDonald’s Franchisees Feel the Pressure as Sales Decline and Expansion Continues

mcdonalds-franchisees-feel-the-pressure-as-sales-decline-and-expansion-continues

Design with hundred dollar bill and orange "recession" banner across the middle

ABC News: Recession Risks Are Rising, Economists Say. Here’s What to Know.

recession-risks-impact-economy-franchise-world

Florida Franchisee Reflects on Success and Growth with Sylvan Learning

florida-franchisee-reflects-on-success-and-growth-with-sylvan-learning

Franchise Deep Dive: Studio Pilates Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

franchise-deep-dive-studio-pilates-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Military Veteran and Craft Beer Enthusiast to Bring Voodoo Brewing Co. to Toledo, Ohio

military-veteran-and-craft-beer-enthusiast-to-bring-voodoo-brewing-co-to-toledo-ohio

Taco Bell to Test Beyond Meat’s Plant-Based Carne Asada

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS