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Burger King has upped its meat-free options once again, welcoming Impossible Foods’ plant-based chicken nuggets to its menu in America.
The fast-food chain says it is ‘the first global quick-service restaurant brand’ to serve the Impossible Nuggets.
Impossible uses ingredients like soy protein, sunflower oil, and wheat flour to craft the nuggets. As a result, they are free from cholesterol and contain 10g of protein per serving.
The nuggets have proven popular among consumers so far. A blind taste test of 201 meat-eating consumers found that most (74 percent) of them preferred Impossible Nuggets over chicken nuggets from a ‘leading supplier’, the company says.
Plant-based food at Burger King
Burger King will serve the nuggets in an eight-pack with the customer’s choice of dipping sauce. The nuggets will be cooked in the same oil as the company’s meat and dairy products.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve teamed up with Impossible to make waves in the industry,” stated Ellie Doty, Burger King North America’s Chief Marketing Officer.
Burger King first collaborated with Impossible in 2019, when it became the first quick-service restaurant to serve the Impossible patty. The patty, served in the meat-free Impossible Whopper, was a hit. Same-store sales increased by 6 percent in the quarter following the launch, Business Insider reported.
Doty continued: “So, it’s only fitting we’re the first global QSR to test the Impossible Nuggets. We’re excited to hear what our guests in the test markets think of this latest innovation.”
Sustainability
The plant-based menu additions align with Burger King’s goals to become more environmentally friendly.
According to Impossible, its plant-based nuggets require significantly fewer resources to make.
Compared to their animal-based counterparts, Impossible Nuggets use 48 percent land and 43 percent less water. Further, they generate 36 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Writing about its sustainability goals on its website, Burger King says: “Our product innovation teams are constantly working to develop new options that provide a variety of great tasting food while meeting our guests’ evolving lifestyle needs.”
The company also noted: “To us, corporate responsibility isn’t about a final destination; it’s about an ongoing journey. We know our policies and procedures will evolve and change as the landscape in which we do business evolves and changes.”
Burger King will trial the Impossible Nuggets for a limited time from October 11, 2021. They will be available at locations in Des Moines, Iowa; Boston, Massachusetts; and Miami, Florida.
