Arby’s Looks to Add Plant-Based Impossible Meat to Menu

Update: Arby’s President Rob Lynch has since denied claims that the chain is adding the Impossible Burger to its menu, saying that embracing the meatless movement would muddy the restaurant’s “We have the meats” marketing. “It won’t happen on my watch,” Lynch told media outlet Fortune. “The only way would be if I got fired for some reason.” VegNews stands by our original reporting, pointing to news outlet The Information’s article citing an investor presentation Impossible Foods used to raise money for a funding round.

Meat-centric chain Arby’s has shown interest in working with plant-based meat company Impossible Foods, according to media outlet The Information. The Impossible Burger-maker compiled a presentation for its investors prior to closing its $300 million Series E round that revealed it has experienced an “influx of inbound interest” from fast-food chains, including Subway, Dunkin’ (formerly “Dunkin’ Donuts”), Wendy’s, Papa John’s, and Arby’s. Under its motto “We have the meats,” Arby’s has long focused on creating meat-forward menu items and several of its marketing campaigns were created to poke fun at vegetarians. However, as demand for meat-free foods grows, competing chains have begun to embrace plant-based options. Burger King recently began the expansion of its plant-based Impossible Whopper to more than 7,000 locations nationwide, while pizza chain Little Caesars announced this week its test of the Impossible Supreme Pizza—a vegetarian option made with Impossible Sausage, the innovative company’s second product. While Dunkin’ has not confirmed a partnership with Impossible Foods, this month, the doughnut chain teased it is considering adding plant-based meat options to its breakfast menu.