McDonald’s cuts alternative meat from its menu

The fast-food giant McDonald’s recently announced it has no plans to continue promoting its plant-based burger option, the McPlant.

McDonald’s President Joe Erlinger spoke at the Wall Street Journal Global Food Forum in Chicago at the end of June, saying the brand would discontinue the McPlant after it performed poorly in U.S. test markets. 

The chain had tested the McPlant in California and Texas since it had developed the meatless alternative with Beyond Meat in 2021. Peas, rice and potatoes were the ingredients in the patty, which included the standard fixings of a sesame seed bun and toppings of tomato, lettuce, pickles, onions and American cheese.

Initial testing had shown some success in Texas, Iowa, California and Louisiana, but after expanding to 600 locations in San Francisco and Dallas, sales dropped from 500 burgers per week to 20 burgers a day, according to Analyst Peter Saleh.

While McDonald’s has seen better overseas sales, the U.S. market doesn’t support meatless options at the popular chain.

In terms of protein, the company will look at more chicken options as they are popular and cost less for them and the consumer.

Erlinger hinted another protein option would be back on the menu again in 2024 – the boneless pork rib dipped in tangy barbecue sauce, better known as the McRib.

Additionally, bagels were added back to the breakfast menu in April in about 1,200 stores and may be available nationwide again later this year.