Beyond Meat Launches Beyond Pepperoni and New Chicken Fillets into Food Service

Beyond Meat announces the launch of Beyond Pepperoni and all-new Beyond Chicken Fillets into North American food service, with the new products said to be indistinguishable in taste from animal-based meat. 

According to Beyond, more people than ever are seeking plant-based pepperoni at their favorite restaurants, with 53% of polled consumers agreeing they would increase visits to a restaurant if plant-based pepperoni were available.

Beyond previously debuted plant-based pepperoni at US Pizza Hut locations in 2021 – this rollout marks the first time the product is available to foodservice operators across the country. 

Better chicken

Beyond Chicken Fillets were created to help meet the growing demand for plant-based chicken in restaurants, which the company says has increased +1,098% from one year ago.

Beyond states that 72% of surveyed consumers indicated strong interest in purchasing menu items with Beyond Chicken Fillet, and 56% stated they would visit a restaurant more frequently if it offered the product.

Gen Z slip?

The news comes as investment bank Piper Sandler reiterated an Underperform rating on Beyond Meat shares, after research found that teenage consumers’ interest in plant-based meat is declining. 

According to analysts, 42% of Gen Z teenagers consume or are willing to try plant-based meat, which is down from 49% in Spring 2021. The survey also found teens may be less interested in eating plant-based meat in the future. “Of the 14% of teens that do consume plant-based meat, 25% plan to eat less plant-based meat over the next 12 months, up from 23% in our Fall 2022 teen survey and up from 16% in Spring 2021,” stated analysts. 

Among other brands, the firm found Impossible was the most preferred plant-based brand among teens, with a preference of 39%, followed by Beyond Meat at 34%.

“Giving operators more options”

For its part, Beyond hopes the introduction of Beyond Pepperoni, Chicken Fillets and Steak into restaurants will build new excitement. 

“We’re excited to introduce these new and incredibly delicious plant-based innovations, crafted with versatility and operational ease in mind,” says Dawn Lockwood, VP and Head of Foodservice at Beyond Meat. “Beyond Pepperoni, Beyond Chicken Fillet and Beyond Steak expand Beyond Meat’s foodservice product portfolio, giving operators more options to incorporate on their menus and new ways to offer in-demand, better-for-you plant-based dishes to customers.”