Food
Plants and spice headline the latest menu news
Taste Tracker: Subway and Shake Shack turn up the heat; plants take shape at Pret, Pokeworks and Wienerschnitzel; Taco Bell adds a fruity freeze; and it’s always time for chicken.
Food
McDonald’s is expanding its McPlant test to a lot more locations
The burger giant said on Thursday that it plans to expand the test to 600 stores, increasing the chances of a nationwide introduction.
Almost as soon as the New Year’s Eve confetti was swept up, new menu items started shooting out of the pipeline. Restaurants are jumping on consumers’ resolutions to eat healthier with plenty of plant-based options, vegetable-forward items and dishes targeted at special diets. But there’s action on the flavor front too, as sandwiches get hotter and coffee drinks take on sweet spices.
Health-conscious consumers are increasingly seeking ways to promote wellness across all aspects of their lives, and unsurprisingly, eating a healthy diet is a cornerstone. Currently, the growing appeal of plant-based foods and diets is likely correlated with the growing number of consumers preferring a healthier diet—and for that reason, it’s crucial that operators develop strategies to leverage each of these trends in conjunction.