Last year, McDonald’s UK and Ireland announced it was trialling some important changes to its menu as part of the company’s continued commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
And after achieving positive results from the trials which took place in 250 restaurants back in September, McDonald’s has announced the national rollout of a brand-new burger – the McPlant.
The McPlant is McDonald’s latest plant-based offering and took the company three years to develop in collaboration with Los Angeles-based meat substitute producers Beyond Meat.
Launching in all McDonald's branches on January 5, just in time for Veganuary, the burger is perfect for those who are already eating plant-based foods as well as anyone looking to switch up their routine.
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As well as being a hit with McDonald’s customers, the McPlant burger has been endorsed by celebrities including Rosie Ramsey, who celebrated the burger’s arrival in the North East by tucking into one on the remote Northumberland shoreline.
Coronation Street legend and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here finalist Simon Gregson was also spotted munching on the vegan treat in Manchester city centre, while boxer Lawrence Okolie gave the McPlant some love in London.
Michelle Graham-Clare, Chief Marketing Officer, McDonald’s UK and Ireland said: “We’re so pleased that our McPlant is now officially ‘everywhere’ and available for more of our customers to taste and enjoy.
“We saw a remarkable response to the trial period back in October and now McPlant is on the high-street, in retail parks and service stations all over the UK and Ireland so all of our customers will be able to try it.
“We’re proud to once again be offering our customers more great-tasting options from McDonald’s. It’s our same iconic taste – but plant-based.”
The McPlant features one plant-based patty, a vegan sesame bun, mustard, ketchup, vegan sauce, fresh onion, pickles, lettuce, tomato and vegan cheese.
When McDonald’s first announced the launch of their new burger back in September, The Mirror was invited to the UK HQ of McDonald's to try it out – and we were pleasantly surprised.
Rosaleen Fenton said of the burger: “Unlike the chickpea-laden burgers of the past, the McPlant patty is a meaty affair - and luckily the cheese, which is made from pea protein, tastes just like McDonald’s cheese slices.
“The burger finely imitates the taste and texture of meat - with one person at the event joking that any dads sceptical of meat substitutes are unlikely to notice the difference from a standard burger.”
The McPlant burger is priced at £3.49, and McDonald’s have assured it will be cooked separately from other McDonald’s burgers and sandwiches using dedicated utensils.
What did you think of the McPlant? Let us know in the comments below.
