US McDonald’s to get more vegan options on the menu, hints CEO

Mohsina Dodhiya8th May 20209th October 2020Food, News

‘Certainly over time McDonald’s will have plant-based products on the menu’

In a recent interview with CNBC, the president and CEO of McDonald’s international, Chris Kempczinski discussed the possibilities of introducing additional plant-based items to the fast-food chains’ menus across the world.

“Certainly over time McDonald’s will have plant-based products on the menu” he said during the interview, in which he also admitted how the pandemic had significantly impacted the company’s sales in the first quarter.

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With restaurants being closed to observe lockdown rules, Mc Donald’s declared its earnings had dropped 17% in the first quarter of 2020.

McDonald's to cut 3,000 metric tonnes of plastic waste by removing Happy Meal toys — Image: Ratana21 / shutterstock.com

Vegan McDonald’s

Although Mc Donald’s has been slower than its competitors in launching vegan options, it has trialled plant-based options at stores across the globe to cater to the growing demand for healthy and eco friendly options.

Last year, McDonald’s Germany debuted the Big Vegan TS featuring Nestlé’s plant-based Incredible Burger, mustard, ketchup, onions, tomatoes, and greens.

In January, Mc Donald’s UK launched a fully vegan meal comprising Veggie Dippers, fries, and a drink.

Around the same time, McDonald’s Canada introduced the Beyond Meat PLT featuring a Beyond Meat patty in 52 Ontario locations.

McDonald's launches vegan Beyond Meat burgers — Image: Mcdonalds

‘Just a question of when’

While discussing the company’s stance on rolling out the alt meat options, Kempczinski explained: “I think for us the question is really about when and our system operates best at scale” said Kempczinski.

“So when we bring plant-based onto the menu, we need to be confident that there is a sufficient level of demand that really will allow it to stick on the menu and so that’s going to be a country-by-country decision.

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“I think there are going to be some countries that are further along on that than others but I do expect that we will have plant-based on the menu, it’s just a question of when.”