Fried chicken fast-serve chain Popeyes has announced that it will be introducing its very first red bean vegan burger in the U.K. The new meat-free chicken burger is made from a red bean patty, battered and fried (like Popeyes chicken), and served with tomatoes, lettuce, and Creole sauce.
Unlike its major competitors, such as Burger King and McDonald's, which -- when developing vegan options -- turn to tech meat companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, the new Popeye's burger utilizes red beans and rice -- two ingredients already used by the chain in several dishes. This means that the chain's new plant-based innovation was developed in-house, using ingredients that customers will already be familiar with.
In addition, the new plant-based menu item belongs to popeyes' broader 'Better Chicken Commitment' to improve the welfare standards at large chains and supermarkets.
Image Credit: Popeyes
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- In-house Plant-based Innovation
- Popeyes' use of familiar ingredients like red beans and rice to create a vegan burger presents opportunities for other fast food chains to develop plant-based options using ingredients already in use.
- Better Chicken Commitment
- Popeyes' pledge to improve chicken welfare presents disruptive innovation opportunities for the fast food industry to adopt and promote more humane animal welfare practices in their supply chain.
- Non-tech Meat Substitutes
- Popeyes' creation of a red bean vegan burger opens up opportunities for the food industry to develop and market plant-based options that don't rely on tech meat companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods.
Where This Applies
- Fast Food Industry
- Popeyes' in-house plant-based innovation and commitment to improve chicken welfare standards present opportunities for other fast food chains to follow suit and differentiate themselves with ethical and sustainable menu options.
- Food Ingredient and Supply Chain Industry
- The success of Popeyes' red bean vegan burger demonstrates consumer interest in non-tech meat substitutes and the use of familiar ingredients. Companies in the food ingredient and supply chain industry can capitalize on this by developing and promoting plant-based ingredients and products that align with evolving consumer preferences.
- Ethical Consumerism Industry
- Popeyes' introduction of a vegan burger as part of its 'Better Chicken Commitment' underscores the growing trend of ethical consumerism. Companies in this industry can innovate and market products and services that appeal to consumers who prioritize social and environmental responsibility.
