Famous Dave's will be launching test of plant-based protein menu items in mid-August.

Krissa Welshans, Livestock Editor

July 1, 2019

2 Min Read
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Beyond Meat

Beyond Meat Inc.’s latest product has started to hit retail shelves nationwide. Beyond Beef is a new plant-based ground meat made without genetically modified organisms, soy or gluten and is designed to have the same versatility, meaty texture and juiciness of traditional ground beef.

“Beyond Beef is designed to not only look, cook and satisfy like traditional ground beef but also to be versatile enough to be used in any ground beef recipe, including tacos, dumplings, Bolognese, sliders and more,” the company said.

Made with a blend of pea, mung bean and rice proteins, Beyond Meat said the product “delivers the meaty taste and texture of beef, along with marbling intended to melt and tenderize for a satisfying and delicious at-home cooking experience.”

“We are thrilled to introduce consumers to our latest product innovation: Beyond Beef,” Beyond Meat founder and chief executive officer Ethan Brown said. “This plant-based ground meat allows consumers to enjoy all the culinary versatility of ground beef, with the added nutritional and environmental benefits of eating plant-based meat.”

The product is expected to be available nationwide within a few weeks at these participating retailers: Whole Foods Market, Acme, Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions – SoCal, Fred Meyer, Fresh Thyme, Giant Carlisle, Giant Eagle, Giant Landover, Harris Teeter, HEB, Heinen’s, Jewel-Osco, King Soopers, Kroger-Atlanta, Lowes, Mariano’s, QFC, Raley’s, Ralphs, Safeway-NorCal, Safeway/Albertsons-Phoenix, Safeway/Albertsons-Seattle, Sprouts, Stop & Shop, Wegmans, Weis Markets and Winco. 

Famous Dave’s partnership

Marking a milestone for the company as it is the first time testing plant-based protein options, Famous Dave's announced that it has entered a partnership with Beyond Meat and will be launching a test of plant-based protein menu items in mid-August. The test will roll out initially in five locations: four throughout Colorado and one in Minneapolis, Minn. The intention is for menu items to be deployed throughout the Famous Dave's network in the fall of 2019.

"For 25 years, our menu has included meat alternative options. In listening to our fans, we see tremendous opportunity to cater to their evolving palates and look forward to expanding the menu even further," Famous Dave's CEO Jeff Crivello said. "We remain committed to continued menu innovation and look forward to exploring delicious plant-based options for our guests."

The Famous Dave's culinary team has gone through months of testing, experimenting with different recipes and ingredients. The savory Beyond Meat test menu items will include a BBQ slider, BBQ taco and a BBQ bowl.

"We've been busy in the test kitchen experimenting with plant-based meat options, working to find solutions in line with the quality our Famous Dave's guests have come to expect, and we are extremely happy with the quality of Beyond Meat," said Sylvia Matzke-Hill, culinary director for Famous Dave’s. "It's important that the new items fit in perfectly with the rest of our award-winning and fan favorites, and we believe that the new options will do just that."

About the Author(s)

Krissa Welshans

Livestock Editor

Krissa Welshans grew up on a crop farm and cow-calf operation in Marlette, Michigan. Welshans earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Michigan State University and master’s degree in public policy from New England College. She and her husband Brock run a show cattle operation in Henrietta, Texas, where they reside with their son, Wynn.

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