When you buy something through one of the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Fast food giant McDonald’s is stepping away from plant-based alternatives for now. After a trial run of the McPlant burger in select locations, the company has decided against a nationwide rollout.
Citing disappointing sales, McDonald’s U.S. president, Joe Erlinger, stated that customers aren’t coming to McDonald’s for plant-based options. The McPlant burger, made with Beyond Meat, was tested in San Francisco and Dallas but failed to gain traction.
This is a blow to the growing trend of plant-based options in the fast-food industry. While some chains like Burger King and White Castle have seen success with plant-based burgers, McDonald’s experience suggests there might be a disconnect between what these companies perceive as consumer demand and what actually sells.
Erlinger did leave the door open for a plant-based future, but only if customer demand picks up. “If people really want salads from McDonald’s, we will gladly relaunch salads,” he said. This suggests McDonald’s is prioritizing core menu items and customer expectations over innovation in the plant-based space.
It seems the McPlant has reached a dead end, leaving the future of plant-based offerings at McDonald’s uncertain.
