Beyond Meat Loses Some Early Restaurant Fans as Others Double Down
- Three Del Taco stores dropped Beyond’s version of ground beef
- Industry watchers say plant-based protein still a narrow niche
Even as Beyond Meat Inc. gains new deals to develop meatless menu items, enthusiasm is fading at some of the company’s earliest restaurant backers, raising questions about the staying power of plant-based meat.
Almost three years after Del Taco Restaurants Inc. became one of the first major chains to sell Beyond’s plant-based protein products in hundreds of stores, the company is now testing its removal at three of its four Florida stores. TGI Friday’s Inc., an early adopter of the Beyond Burger, plans to keep selling it but said sales are flat and it’s less enthusiastic about adding more of the company’s fare to its menu. Inspire Brands Inc.’s Dunkin’ stopped selling Beyond’s sausage sandwich at most of its 9,000 U.S. locations last year after almost two years, with only several hundred keeping it available.