Just in time for the New Year, Beyond Meat announced that TGI Fridays will add the revolutionary Beyond Burger to the menu at its 450-plus U.S. locations nationwide. The addition of The Beyond Burger to TGI Fridays Burger Bar menu is at the center of the brand’s commitment to innovation and reinvigorating current menu offerings.
“Appealing to a more food-forward consumer is a key priority for Fridays in 2018,” says David Spirito, Executive Culinary Director, TGI Fridays. “In answering guests demand for nutritional menu items that fit their lifestyle needs, we saw an opportunity to introduce newly expanded options like plant-based protein. Beyond Meat is leading the way in creating a juicy and delicious product that gives guests the sensory experience of a traditional burger without sacrificing taste.”
TGI Fridays initially tested The Beyond Burger at a handful of locations in October, and after an extremely successful test, The Beyond Burger is becoming the fastest test-to-table menu offering in the brand’s history.
“Consumer adoption of our plant-based meats is quickening month over month. Once people learn first-hand that they can enjoy the delicious upsides of meat while capturing the health and environmental benefits of plant-based eating, consistent use comes down to availability,” says Ethan Brown, CEO and founder of Beyond Meat. “I could not be more pleased that an iconic global restaurant brand, TGI Fridays, is adding The Beyond Burger to their menu.”
Starting Tuesday, The Beyond Burger will be featured on the TGI Fridays menu as The Beyond Meat Burger and features a 6-oz. patty seasoned, grilled and topped with white cheddar, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles and Fridays sauce to appeal to heartier appetites. The Beyond Burger patty can be substituted for any existing builds from the TGI Fridays Burger Bar menu, served on the Challah Bun or “Green Style” on crispy green lettuce leaves without cheese or FridaysTM sauce for a vegan-friendly option.
TGI Fridays is joining a growing number of restaurants, hotels, colleges, sports teams and grocery stores to carry The Beyond Burger. Since May, distribution of The Beyond Burger has seen triple digit growth and is now available at more than 9,000 food service and retail outlets nationwide.
The Beyond Burger is the world’s only burger that looks, cooks, and tastes like ground beef from cows but is made entirely from plants, without GMOs, soy, or gluten. The Beyond Burger packs more protein and iron than beef, but with less total and saturated fat.
Based in Los Angeles, California, Beyond Meat was founded in 2009 and is a privately held company with a mission of building meat directly from plants. Investors include Bill Gates, actor and activist Leonardo DiCaprio, Twitter co-founders Biz Stone and Evan Williams, Kleiner Perkins, former McDonald’s CEO Don Thompson, Honest Tea founder Seth Goldman, Humane Society of the United States, and Tyson Foods.
