Beyond Meat launches plant-based chicken tenders at US restaurants

Beyond Meat today announced the arrival of its new plant-based Chicken Tenders at upward of 400 U.S. based restaurants. The news follows continued growth for the California-based faux meat giant, which includes expansion to Walmart stores, Taco Bell restaurants and a big push into China over the past year.

The company says it’s a different product entirely from Beyond’s Chicken Strips despite bearing a similar name. That product predated the company’s wildly popular Beyond Burger patties, but were discontinued back in 2019 due to a lack of popularity compared to other offerings.

Image Credits: Beyond

The new recipe is largely made of fava beans and peas, contains 14 grams of protein a serving and is less than 40% the saturated fat of standard chicken tenders. The company says there’s no cholesterol, antibiotics or hormones, which not a lot of big-name chicken producers can say.

“As with all our products, Beyond Chicken Tenders offer delicious taste and an exceptional culinary experience, along with strong nutritional benefits,” CIO Dariush Ajami said in a press release tied to the news. “Innovation is at the heart of Beyond Meat, and Beyond Chicken Tenders are the latest example of our mission to create groundbreaking, tasty options that are better for people and for our planet.”

Image Credits: Beyond

There are no huge nationwide chains being announced among the participating restaurants, which will start offering the foodstuffs today. Here’s a partial list:

Bad Mutha Clucka
Bird Bird Biscuit
Blissful Burgers
Burger Patch
Detroit Wing Company
Dog Haus
Duke’s on 7
Epic Burger
Fire Wings
Flyrite Chicken
JAILBIRD
Melt Bar and Grilled
Milwaukee Burger Company
Next Level Burger / Next Level Clucker
Nuno’s Tacos & Vegmex Grill
Plant-Based Pizzeria
Plow Burger
Pub 819
Romeo’s Pizza
Sarpino’s Pizza
Stanley’s Northeast Bar Room
Syberg’s
The Bar Draft House
The Block Food & Drink
The Howe Daily Kitchen & Bar
Toppers Pizza
Verdine

Lotta weirdly named chicken restaurants out there, folks.

There’s growing competition in the faux chicken market, as well. Last month, Nuggs-maker Simulate announced a $50 million Series B to help it get to the other side.