From January 2019 to May 2019, United States consumers purchased 228 million plant-based burgers at quick-service restaurants, representing a 10-percent increase from the same period last year, according to a new report released by market research firm The NPD Group. The report also shows that consumers who typically purchase animal products are interested in trying plant-based options, revealing that 95 percent of people who purchased plant-based burgers also made a beef purchase this year. “Plant-based burgers allow consumers to substitute without sacrifice. They get the ‘burger’ experience while assuaging their need for more protein and social concerns,” Darren Seifer, NPD food and beverage industry analyst, said. “With that said, US consumers have not given up on beef burgers but are willing to mix things up every now and then.” NPD explained that increases in consumption of plant-based burgers are attributed to the wider availability of products such as Beyond Burger and Impossible Burger, which are now on the menu at fast-food restaurants such as Carl’s Jr., White Castle, Burger King, Red Robin, and more. In the retail sector, the vegan food industry is currently worth $4.5 billion with plant-based meat worth $800 million (an increase of 10 percent from last year), according to data released this week by advocacy firm Good Food Institute and trade group Plant Based Food Association.
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