Food News of the Week: McDonald’s Adds Meatless Nuggets, Plus Better Breakfast Sausages and Plant-Based Bento In Tokyo

This week in food news brings meatless nuggets to McDonald’s from Beyond Meat, new breakfast sausage from Before the Butcher, and a bento box concept in Tokyo.

Plus, Impossible Foods launches Lion King nuggets, plant-based meat companies get new investments, and more. 

Food news

Impossible Food brings new developments to the plant-based meat industry. Plus, there are a few new mixers for spooky season cocktails. 

Impossible Foods

Lion King meatless nuggets

Impossible Foods has just released three new plant-based products, starting with the Impossible Disney The Lion King Chicken Nuggets, shaped like characters from The Lion King. 

This partnership builds on Impossible Foods’ ongoing collaboration with Disney, which began in 2020, featuring Impossible products across Disney theme parks, resorts, and cruises. The new nugget launch coincides with the upcoming release of Mufasa: The Lion King. 

“We’ve been very proud to work with Disney to serve Impossible products across their properties for the past four years, so it was a natural next step to collaborate on a new offering in the grocery aisle,” Peter McGuinness, president and CEO of Impossible Foods, said in a statement.

“Our new Lion King Nuggets are a fun way for kids and adults to enjoy our delicious plant-based chicken nuggets—given we all know and love the epic movie, and of course the timeless soundtrack,” McGuinness said. 

Impossible also introduced two additional products. Impossible Meal Makers, available in Taco and Italian-Style varieties, offer pre-seasoned plant-based beef, making meal prep quicker and easier for busy households. The third product is Impossible Corn Dogs, combining plant-based hot dogs with a cornmeal batter, bringing a nostalgic favorite into the plant-based realm. 

Before the Butcher

Better breakfast sausage

In other meatless news, Before the Butcher has introduced its new Cooked Plant-Based Breakfast Sausage Patty, a soy-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO alternative to traditional pork sausage. Designed to deliver an authentic sausage taste and texture, the fully cooked patty is ideal for quick meals and can be paired with various breakfast sides or used in sandwiches. The plant-based sausage features a long frozen shelf life (12 months after production) and is manufactured in San Diego, CA.

“Our new Cooked Plant-Based Breakfast Sausage Patty reflects our dedication to continuously evolving with market trends and customer feedback.” Before the Butcher’s president, Danny O’Malley, said in a statement. “We prioritize taste, quality, and inclusivity in the plant-based food space.” 

The company is known for offering a diverse portfolio of plant-based meat alternatives, including burgers, pulled pork, chorizo, and pepperoni, through both retail and food service channels.

Jordan’s Skinny Mixes

Margarita mixes for a spooky good time 

Jordan’s Skinny Mixes just released a collection of festive cocktail mixes this Halloween. The Spooky Collection, priced at $8.99 per bottle, features three hauntingly good products. 

The Sugar Free Hocus Pocus Syrup, inspired by the Sanderson Sisters, combines blackberry and dragon fruit. The Ghostly Syrup offers a candy flavor, while the Witches Brew Green Apple Margarita Mix adds a tart twist to a classic cocktail, made with a dash of “sorcery” to enhance your Halloween celebrations.

And for those practicing Sober October, these mixes are free from alcohol and can be used to create spooky mocktails instead.

Restaurant news

There’s a new meatless take on McChicken nuggets at McDonald’s, vegan bento boxes in Tokyo, and compostable tea pods at select W Hotels.

McDonald’s

McDonald’s adds meatless McChicken nuggets

McDonald’s France has expanded its plant-based offerings by launching the Veggie McPlant Nuggets as part of an ongoing collaboration with Beyond Meat. These new meatless nuggets, a version of its McChicken nuggets, are made from wheat and pea proteins and coated in a crispy breadcrumb mix. 

“We have chosen to innovate with a first offer based on plant proteins, directly inspired by one of our iconic products,” Jean-Guillaume Bertola, Chief Marketing Officer at McDonald’s France, said in a statement.

The new nuggets will be available across all 1,560 McDonald’s locations in the same portion sizes as the original Chicken McNuggets, offering a consistent experience for customers. “With Veggie McPlant Nuggets, we are responding to a growing desire of French consumers who want to vary their protein intake, without compromising on pleasure,” Bertola said. 

McDonald’s decision to make the Veggie McPlant Nuggets a permanent fixture was driven by successful consumer tests. “The first tests we conducted have given very satisfactory results, particularly on quality and taste,” Bertola said. 

Based on these results, McDonald’s made the strategic choice to introduce the product at all 1,560 McDonald’s locations in France, offered in the same portion sizes as the original Chicken McNuggets for a consistent consumer experience. 

“This innovation is the result of a close collaboration between Beyond Meat and McDonald’s,” Bertola said.

While the McPlant platform has expanded in other European countries, domestically, Beyond Meat’s McDonald’s partnership has not yet resulted in a broader launch of plant-based options. 

WB Burgers Asia

Plant-based bento boxes in Tokyo

WB Burgers Asia, Ltd., the Japanese master franchisee for Wayback Burgers, has launched Next Restaurant, a groundbreaking multi-brand, plant-based dining concept in Tokyo. Positioned as a forward-thinking solution to the changing demands of the restaurant industry, Next Restaurant combines pickup and delivery service with a diverse range of plant-based menus. 

“Next Restaurant’s multi-brand model shares the same kitchen for better food preparation efficiency,” CEO Koichi Ishizuka said in a statement about the streamlined setup. This concept allows the restaurant to minimize space while offering a wide variety of vegan and gluten-free options.

Next Restaurant’s menu stands out with dishes such as the Next Foie Gras Kalbi Bento, Next Short Rib Bento, Next Vegan Cheesesteak, and Next Pizza, all of which are plant-based. It also introduces the new smoothie brand Niseko & Smoothie, which sources ingredients from Hokkaido’s Niseko farms.

“The traditional restaurants are now facing high procurement costs … while consumers continue to demand high-quality, healthy foods at a better value,” Ishizuka said. 

WB Burgers Asia has ambitious expansion plans, with a second franchise set to open in Kumamoto by the end of 2024. The company is welcoming franchise inquiries as it eyes further growth across Japan and internationally. “We are setting a new post-COVID restaurant business model from Tokyo and expanding internationally,” Ishizuka said.

Mad Tea

Compostable tea pods at W Hotels 

Enjoying an in-suite tea at select W Hotels just got a lot more sustainable, thanks to the introduction of Mad Tea’s compostable tea pods. Available in W Hotels locations in New York City and Los Angeles, as well as at Palisociety hotel group properties, these innovative tea pods provide a premium tea experience while significantly reducing environmental impact. 

Created by Genecis Bioindustries, the pods are made from PHA-based bioplastics, a biodegradable material designed to fully decompose without leaving harmful microplastics behind.

Mad Tea

Each pod offers a quick, high-quality brew in under 30 seconds, allowing guests to enjoy café-quality teas such as Matcha, Jasmine Milk Tea, Peach Oolong, and Brown Sugar Milk Tea from the comfort of their hotel suite. Beyond their convenience and flavor, these tea pods are a significant step toward sustainability in the hospitality sector.

“At Mad Tea, we believe that convenience and accessibility shouldn’t come at the expense of taste, quality, or the ritual of tea making,” Luna Yu, CEO and Founder of Mad Tea, said in a statement. “Our tea pods allow consumers to indulge in premium teas and tea lattes in their everyday lives, while simultaneously reducing our reliance on traditional plastics that harm the environment and our bodies.”

Business news

Plant-based snacks, jackfruit meat, and meatless bacon gets new funding. 

Daily Crunch

Sprouted snacks get $4 million funding boost

Daily Crunch has successfully closed a $4 million Series A funding round led by Launch Tennessee, aimed at supporting its growth and product expansion in the plant-based snack market. Known for its sprouted nut snacks, Daily Crunch has grown significantly, expanding into 16,500 retail locations across the United States, including major outlets like Target, CVS, and Meijer. 

“We are thrilled to support Daily Crunch’s continued growth,” Eller Kelliher, Chief Investment Officer at Launch Tennessee, said in a statement. “Over the last few years, we have witnessed their transformation from a promising startup to a rapidly expanding presence in the snack industry.”

Daily Crunch offers a variety of sprouted nut snacks, which undergo a soaking, sprouting, and dehydrating process that enhances both texture and nutritional value. Popular flavors include Cherry Berry Nut Medley, a mix of sprouted almonds, walnuts, cashews, dried cherries, and blueberries; Nashville Hot, a spicy almond snack; and Cacao + Sea Salt, which combines sprouted almonds with a rich chocolate flavor.

The new funding will help Daily Crunch continue to scale its distribution, expand its product lines, and invest in marketing, as the company aims to become a leader in the plant-based snack category. Daily Crunch is also committed to social impact, partnering with The Support Network to promote mental health awareness on college campuses.

Jack & Annie’s

Jackfruit Company raises $5 million to grow 

The Jackfruit Company, based in Boulder, CO, has raised $5 million in a Series B extension round, led by key investors including InvestEco, Creadev, and Grosvenor Food & AgTech. This new funding will drive the company’s market expansion in the US and foster innovation in jackfruit-based products.

Operating under two brands, The Jackfruit Company supplies jackfruit ingredients to industrial and foodservice sectors, while its consumer-facing vegetarian brand, Jack & Annie’s, offers ready-to-eat products such as burgers, breakfast sausage patties, and nuggets. These products can be found in thousands of locations across North America, including partnerships with foodservice chains such as Smashburger, which added a jackfruit burger to its menu after a successful trial.

“By using jackfruit as our number one ingredient, we’re able to make foods that not only satisfy like meat, but that also are a good source of fiber and protein, lower in fat and calories than meat products, and simpler and less processed compared to other meat alternatives,” Annie Ryu, CEO and founder, said in a statement. 

The Series B extension, which Ryu aims to be the last funding round, follows a successful $23 million round in 2021, which enabled the company to expand its retail and foodservice distribution channels across the US.

La Vie

$27 million for plant-based ham brand La Vie  

La Vie, a Paris-based plant-based meat company, has secured €25 million ($27 million) in new investment following a significant increase in sales, bringing its total funding to €50 million ($55 million). The latest round, which involved key investors such as Zintinus, Sparkfood, and more than 3,000 individuals through a crowdfunding campaign, will support the company’s expansion and product innovation.

La Vie is known for its popular vegan bacon and viral marketing, and it has recently introduced Italian-style and Spicy Asian vegan meatballs, which will hit retailers in Europe later this month.

The new funding coincides with a major advertising push, including La Vie’s first national TV campaign titled “Duel,” which aired on October 4, World Animal Day, and aims to spark conversations about reducing meat consumption. 

“This new round of funding is much more than financial support; it is a recognition of our ability to break through the barriers of plant-based products and shake up the codes of tomorrow’s food industry,” La Vie CEO Nicolas Schweitzer told local paper Points de Vente.

“With the support of our investors, we will continue our mission and keep innovating, without compromising on taste,” Schweitzer said. 

La Vie has rapidly expanded its retail and foodservice presence, with products now available in more than 8,200 locations across Europe, including partnerships with Pizza Hut and Burger King France. The company’s sales have surged by 192 percent over the past year, and it aims to reach €19 million ($21 million) in revenue for 2024. 

This rapid growth comes at a time when plant-based alternatives are gaining traction in France, as meat consumption has declined by 6 percent per capita over the last two decades.