EL SEGUNDO (CNS) — McDonald's customers in El Segundo and Manhattan Beach have been chosen for the rollout of the fast-food giant's meatless McPlant burger, with the new menu item available in those locations beginning Nov. 3.
The McPlant was co-developed with Beyond Meat, an El Segundo company that provides plant-based alternatives to meat products in supermarkets and a growing number of fast food franchises.
The two South Bay cities are among eight U.S. locations getting the first look at the product. Other test sites include Irving and Carrollton, Texas; Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Jennings and Lake Charles, Louisiana.
The McPlant has also been introduced in various overseas markets, including Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria and most recently the U.K.
The McPlant includes a patty made from peas, rice and potatoes. It is served on a sesame seed bun with tomato, lettuce, pickles, onions, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard and a slice of American cheese.
It is also cooked on the same grill as meat-based products and eggs. McDonald does not offer vegan cheese or mayonnaise, but says that "as always, guests can customize and request to hold the cheese and mayonnaise, or any other ingredients."
Beyond Meat announced the McPlant partnership in February, adding that the two companies are exploring the possibility of other plant-based menu items for chicken, pork and egg products.
"We are proud to enter into this strategic global agreement with McDonald's, an exciting milestone for Beyond Meat, and look forward to serving McDonald's as they bring expanded choice to menus globally," Beyond Meat Founder & CEO Ethan Brown said at the time. "We will combine the power of Beyond Meat's rapid and relentless approach to innovation with the strength of McDonald's global brand to introduce craveable, new plant-based menu items that consumers will love."
The company says its products represent "a strong belief that there is a better way to feed our future and that the positive choices we all make, no matter how small, can have a great impact on our personal health and the health of our planet. By shifting from animal-based meat to plant-based meat, we can positively impact four growing global issues: human health, climate change, constraints on natural resources and animal welfare."
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