Multinational fast food giant Burger King has teamed up with Dutch brand The Vegetarian Butcher to offer plant-based burgers to diners in the Chinese market.
The plant-based Whopper burger patties are crafted together using a blend of natural ingredients and a soy base. This means that the burgers can boast higher protein content than traditional beef burgers.
While these imitation burgers eschew beef in favor of plant-based ingredients, they will still make use of many of the other elements that are reminiscent of the Whopper, such as the recognizable toasted sesame bun and vegetable toppings.
The plant-based Whopper burger is already available in over 325 Burger King locations around China, and is set to be further expanded in the coming months. Given the size and reach of the Burger King brand, not to mention the fact that The Vegetarian Butcher is owned by Unilever, the roll-out of these plant-based burgers in China speaks to the growth potential of meat alternatives in the Asian market.
Iconic Plant-Based Burgers
Burger King is Offering Meatless 'Whoppers' to Consumers In China
Trend Themes
1. Meat Alternative Fast Food - Developing plant-based fast food options for consumers who are interested in meat alternative diets.
2. Natural Ingredient Burgers - Using natural ingredients to create protein-rich meat alternative burgers that are similar to traditional beef burgers.
3. Asian Market Growth - Exploring the potential growth of meat alternative products in the Asian market.
Industry Implications
1. Fast Food - Fast food chains could incorporate meat alternative burgers into their menus to attract new customers and appeal to those following meat alternative diets.
2. Plant-based Food - Plant-based food companies could focus on developing meat alternative burgers that are similar in texture and flavor to traditional beef burgers.
3. Food Retail - Supermarkets and grocery stores could stock meat alternative burger products to cater to consumers following meat alternative diets.