Following the success of its testing sites in the United States, Pizza Hut has added vegetarian sausage to its permanent menu across its entire Canadian store base. In the summer of 2021, the brands entered into a partnership to test consumer reception of plant-based meats in Toronto and Edmonton, and this test was met with great success.
This led to a larger collaboration between Beyond Meat and Pizza Hut whereby 'Beyond Italian Sausage Crumbles' were created specifically for the pizza chain. Pizza Hut has incorporated this sausage into three of its menu items, 'The Great Beyond,' 'Beyond Italian Sausage Alfredo Loaded Flatbread,' and 'Beyond Creamy Alfredo,' which are vegetarian versions of its loaded pizzas, personal flatbreads, and personal pastas, respectively. On top of this, Beyond Italian Sausage Crumbles are now available as an option on any of Pizza Hut's customizable pizzas as well.
Image Credit: Pizza Hut, Beyond Meat
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Plant-based Meat Alternatives
- There is a growing trend towards plant-based meat alternatives, creating opportunities for companies to innovate and introduce new products.
- Collaborations Between Food Chains and Plant-based Meat Brands
- As seen with Pizza Hut and Beyond Meat, collaborations between food chains and plant-based meat brands can result in successful product launches and increased demand for plant-based options.
- Customizable Food Options
- The availability of customizable food options, such as Pizza Hut's customizable pizzas with Beyond Italian Sausage Crumbles, is becoming increasingly popular among consumers, presenting opportunities for customization-focused food brands.
Sectors Adopting This
- Fast Food Chains
- Fast food chains that introduce plant-based options like vegetarian sausage can attract new customers and increase customer loyalty.
- Plant-based Meat Companies
- As demand for plant-based options grows, there are opportunities for plant-based meat companies to partner with popular food chains to offer new menu items.
- Customizable Food Companies
- Companies that offer customizable food options, such as customizable pizzas, can cater to changing consumer preferences and stay ahead of the competition.
