Taco Bell Is Working With Beyond Meat to Create a New Plant-Based Protein Another kind of not-meat is coming to Taco Bell this year.

By Igor Bonifacic

This story originally appeared on Engadget

SOPA Images/Getty Images via engadget

Starting later this year, Taco Bell will begin testing a Beyond Meat-based dish at its restaurants. The chain didn't say what said dish will look like but claimed it won't be the usual planet-based substitution you've seen from other restaurants since it'll be working with Beyond Meat to develop the protein. "I would say that it's going to be unique to the things that you've seen elsewhere, so we're definitely going to put our Taco Bell innovation and spin on it," Liz Matthews, Taco Bell's global chief food innovation officer, told CNBC.

Related: 2021 Franchise 500 Ranking

If you've been following the expansion of Beyond Meat (and Impossible Foods), you'll know Taco Bell is late to the game. Some of its competitors, such as KFC and McDonald's, have been testing plant-based meat substitutes since at least 2019. But it's still a significant announcement from the chain, particularly as it works on winning back vegetarians. Over the summer, Taco Bell cut eight items, including vegetarian favorites like the Mexican Pizza, from its menu to simplify its operations through the pandemic. That's why ahead of its Beyond Meat rollout the company is bringing back potatoes on March 11th. Not every potato-based dish that got cut is coming back, but you'll be able to order more popular ones like the spicy potato soft taco.

Related: 20 Facts You Probably Didn't Know About Taco Bell

Want to be an BIZ Experiences Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for BIZ Experiencess to pursue in 2025.

Science & Technology

OpenAI's Latest Move Is a Game Changer — Here's How Smart Solopreneurs Are Turning It Into Profit

OpenAI's latest AI tool acts like a full-time assistant, helping solopreneurs save time, find leads and grow their business without hiring.

Social Media

How To Start a Youtube Channel: Step-by-Step Guide

YouTube can be a valuable way to grow your audience. If you're ready to create content, read more about starting a business YouTube Channel.

Business Solutions

Boost Team Productivity and Security With Windows 11 Pro, Now $15 for Life

Ideal for BIZ Experiencess and small-business owners who are looking to streamline their PC setup.

Money & Finance

These Are the Expected Retirement Ages By Generation, From Gen Z to Boomers — and the Average Savings Anticipated. How Do Yours Compare?

Many Americans say inflation prevents them from saving enough and fear they won't reach their financial goals.

Starting a Business

I Built a $20 Million Company by Age 22 While Still in College. Here's How I Did It and What I Learned Along the Way.

Wealth-building in your early twenties isn't about playing it safe; it's about exploiting the one time in life when having nothing to lose gives you everything to gain.