New trend for meatless products gathering momentum

Written By MARK PAVILONS

There are more healthy food choices for people on the go. And large chain restaurants are meeting the demand, offering a variety of vegetarian and vegan options.

Tim Hortons has just launched its Beyond Burger, providing another unique option for customers.

Liz Stafford of the Stafford Group, which owns Bolton outlets, said it's too early to gauge the popularity of the product. She said she's a vegetarian herself and this gives her a viable option. Just a couple of weeks ago, no one thought of going to Tim Horton's for a burger, but now it's here.

She pointed out this is a completely new product for the lunch platform and she hopes customers will give it a try.

“If it's as good as my team members are saying we have a hit on our hands!” added Brad Stafford.

Len Mizzoni, owner of the Tim Horton's outlet in Nobleton, really likes the new burgers.

“I really enjoy them. It provides a healthier option and they have more protein than meat,” he said.

The Beyond Burger follows hot on the heels of the Beyond Meat Breakfast Sandwiches launched in June.

This is the first time Tim Horton's has been able to include a burger on the menu because the burger patty is prepared in the same way as the Beyond Sausage™ patty for the new breakfast sandwiches.

The 100 percent plant-based burger patty was developed by Beyond Meat to taste like a beef burger. 

There are two Beyond Burgers for customers to enjoy. The Beyond Burger features Beyond Meat's 100 percent plant-based patty topped with processed cheese, fresh tomato slices, shredded lettuce, ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise on a sesame seed bun. The BBQ Beyond Burger is a treat for taste buds with Beyond Meat's delicious 100 percent plant-based patty topped with processed cheese, fresh tomato slices, shredded lettuce, BBQ sauce and mayonnaise.

Both burgers are available as part of a lunch combo with a beverage and side.

“We're excited to be able to offer our guests a burger for the very first time. With nearly 4,000 Tim Horton's locations across the country, we are the largest quick service restaurant in Canada to add the Beyond Burger to our menu and at just $5.69, at one of the most affordable price points as well. Our guests are looking for more options and the Beyond Burger is a delicious addition that doesn't compromise on taste or satisfaction,” said Mike Hancock, Chief Operating Officer, Tim Horton's.

“Following the success of the Beyond Meat Breakfast Sandwich launch, we wanted to partner with Tim Horton's to offer Canadians a delicious plant-based lunch and dinner option. With more and more Canadians interested in incorporating plant-based proteins into their diet, we are excited to be able to make our Beyond Burger available at Tim Horton's restaurants across Canada,” added Ethan Brown, founder and CEO of Beyond Meat.

A & W, with an outlet in Bolton, offers a Beyond Meat Burger and Beyond Meat Sausage and Egger. They were the first national burger restaurant to unveil their plant-based protein products.

The ingredients in the patties are quite interesting, and include apples, beets, coconut oil, yellow peas, pomegranates, mung beans, rice and potatoes.

The patty is seared and contains just the right amount of fat and has become quite popular.

Beyond Meat is one of the fastest growing food companies in the United States, offering a portfolio of revolutionary plant-based proteins. Founded in 2009, Beyond Meat has a mission of using simple, plant-based ingredients applied in fresh ways to replicate the taste, texture and other sensory attributes of popular animal-based meat products while offering the nutritional and environmental benefits of plant-based proteins. 

Beyond Meat's brand commitment, “Eat What You Love,” represents a strong belief that by eating its portfolio of plant-based proteins, consumers can enjoy more, not less, of their favorite meals, and by doing so, help address concerns related to human health, climate change, resource conservation and animal welfare. Beyond Meat's portfolio of fresh and frozen plant-based proteins are sold at more than 30,000 retail and food service outlets worldwide. 

Visit www.BeyondMeat.com and follow @BeyondMeat, #BeyondBurger and #GoBeyond on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

As well, McDonald's customers often opt for meatless versions of popular items.

“Our menu is always evolving to meet the taste of our guests, and we are always looking for new flavors to add. That being said, we don't have any current plans to introduce a meatless burger in Canada,” according to a spokesperson from McDonald's.