The White Castle Impossible Slider was introduced last year to offer consumers a tasty, meat-free option and is now being enhanced to be even more suitable for patrons who are looking to avoid animal ingredients.
The brand is positioned to start testing a dairy-free cheddar cheese alternative that will act as a complement for the meat-free burger. The cheese will be offered as an alternative topping to the smoked cheddar cheese that traditionally comes on top of the slider to accommodate different consumers and preferences.
The White Castle Impossible Slider dairy-free cheese is made by GoodPlanet Foods and is set to be test marketed in New Jersey and New York City starting March 1, 2020. The brand hopes to expand the offering to additional markets in the future, if successful.
Vegan Cheese-Topped Sliders
The White Castle Impossible Slider is Being Tested with Vegan Cheese
Trend Themes
1. Dairy-free Cheese - There is a growing trend towards dairy-free cheese alternatives, providing a disruptive innovation opportunity for manufacturers to create new plant-based cheese products.
2. Meat-free Options - The increasing demand for meat-free products presents an opportunity for food companies to develop innovative plant-based alternatives that cater to the needs of vegetarian and vegan consumers.
3. Customizable Food Toppings - The rise in consumer preference for personalized food options opens up possibilities for businesses to offer customizable toppings, such as dairy-free cheese, to accommodate diverse dietary needs.
Industry Implications
1. Plant-based Food Manufacturing - Plant-based food companies and startups have the opportunity to capitalize on the demand for dairy-free cheese alternatives, creating innovative products and expanding their market share.
2. Quick-service Restaurants - Fast-food chains and quick-service restaurants can attract a wider customer base by including meat-free options on their menus and offering diverse toppings, like dairy-free cheese, to cater to the growing number of vegetarian and vegan consumers.
3. Alternative Dairy Industry - The alternative dairy industry has a chance to experiment with new ingredients and techniques to develop dairy-free cheese alternatives that closely replicate the taste and texture of traditional dairy-based cheese, meeting the needs of lactose-intolerant and vegan consumers.