# Plant-Powered Italian Subs Blimpie's Plant-Based Meatball Parmigiana is Made Meatless with Gardein By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2022-01-10 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantbased-meatball-parmigiana References: [prnewswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blimpie-introduces-new-plant-based-meatball-parmigiana-301456117.html) & [Blimpie](http://www.Blimpie.com/)  The Plant-Based Meatball Parmigiana is a new menu item at [Blimpie](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ultimate-meatball-sub) that features the same authentic marinara sauce and melted cheese as the classic Meatball Parmigiana but with a meatless twist. Now available at Blimpie locations nationwide, this new sub features [plant-based meatballs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kelp-meatballs) from Gardein, a zesty Italian sauce, plus provolone and a sprinkle of parmesan. Sam Carity, senior national marketing manager for [Kahala Brands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-plantbased-meatball-parmigiana), parent company of Blimpie, says "Guests have been looking for a plant-based option and we set out to create a sub that could fill their cravings." This plant-based sub is only gracing the menu at Blimpie for a short time so those who are interested in trying Blimpie's very first plant-based sub will want to do so before April 3rd, 2022. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.7/10 - Popularity: 5% | Activity: 36% | Freshness: 11% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Plant-based Meat Alternatives:** As more consumers seek out plant-based options, there is an opportunity for companies to innovate and expand their offerings in this area. - **Fast Food Plant-based Options:** Fast food companies can tap into the growing demand for plant-based options by adding more meatless options to their menus. - **Limited Time Offerings:** Creating limited time plant-based offerings can drive traffic to fast food establishments while also testing the market for potential permanent menu items. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Fast Food:** Fast food companies can differentiate from competitors by catering to customers interested in plant-based options. - **Plant-based Food:** The expanding market for plant-based alternatives presents an opportunity for companies to develop new and innovative products. - **Menu Development and Marketing:** As the demand for plant-based options continues to grow, there is a need for chefs and marketers to develop and promote new offerings. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Plant-Based Meatball Subs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-plantbased-meatball-parmigiana.md) - [Marinara Meatball Subs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ultimate-meatball-sub.md) - [Limited-Edition Meatless Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chikn-parm.md) - [Caprese Salad-Inspired Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/caprese-blimp.md) - [Plant-Based QSR Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plant-picante.md) - [Pizza-Inspired Submarine Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blimpie-pizza-subs.md) - [Extra-Hearty Sub Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blimpie-deli-primo.md) - [Plant-Based Sub Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantbased-sub-shop.md) - [Extra-Meaty Sub Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ultimate-roast-beef-sub.md)