Fast food restaurant chain Carl’s Jr. is now offering a plant-based version of its most iconic burger build.
In partnership with meat substitutes producer Beyond Meat, Carl’s Jr. recently introduced the Beyond Famous Star burger, a fusion of Beyond Meat’s 100 percent plant-based Beyond Burger patty and the restaurant’s fan-favorite Famous Star burger.
The Beyond Famous Star burger is topped with melted American cheese, lettuce, tomato, sliced onions, dill pickles, special sauce, and mayonnaise on a seeded bun. Though the GMO-free, gluten-free, and soy-free Beyond Burger patty has lower saturated fat than regular beef, it still tastes much like its conventional meat counterpart.
The Beyond Burger patty is Certified Vegan by Vegan Action/Vegan Awareness Foundation. But because all burgers at Carl’s Jr. are prepared in kitchens where animal-based products and byproducts are also made, the Beyond Famous Star burger is not Certified Vegan.
Despite not being Certified Vegan, the Beyond Famous Star burger is a great alternative for consumers who are looking for healthier food.
“We know people are looking for options – in fact, roughly one-third of consumers identify as flexitarians – and we’re thrilled to partner with Beyond Meat to bring more delicious, irresistible flavors to our menu,” said Jason Marker, CEO, CKE Restaurants. “The new Beyond Famous Star is a true industry game changer, and we’re proud to add it to our roster of innovative offerings and build on the legacy of mouthwatering flavors.”
Over 1000 Carl’s Jr. restaurants nationwide started offering the Beyond Famous Star burger on January 2nd for $6.29 each. Customers can also choose the Beyond Burger patty as a substitute for beef or chicken patty on their favorite Carl’s Jr. sandwiches. Additional Beyond Burger patty costs $2 each.
While this recent partnership makes Carl’s Jr. the largest restaurant chain to date in the United States to offer the Beyond Burger on-menu, it isn’t the only burger restaurant chain to offer plant-based burger patties. White Castle, Hopdoddy, and Umami Burger also offer plant-based burger patties made by Beyond Meat’s rival Impossible Foods.