McDonalds (NYSE: MCD) on Thursday announced plans to test a plant-based burger using Beyond Meat (NASDAQ:BYND) patties in Canada.
The beef burger behemoth says the 12-week test will start Monday at 28 restaurants in Southwestern Ontario.
The item will appear on those menus as the P.L.T, which stands for plant, lettuce and tomato.
The McDonald's P.L.T. is billed as “a delicious, juicy, perfectly dressed plant-based burger on a warm, soft, sesame seed bun with the iconic McDonald's taste customers have come to love from McDonald's.
"Featuring a plant-based patty with no artificial colors, artificial flavors, or artificial preservatives, it's a great-tasting "open wide and sink your teeth into it’ sandwich.”
The P.L.T. will be priced at $6.49 Canadian plus tax.
Global tests like these offer innovation and variety to customers in a test market while McDonald's stays laser-focused on running great restaurants around the world.
"During this test, we're excited to hear what customers love about the P.L.T. to help our global markets better understand what's best for their customers," said one McDonalds official. "This test allows us to learn more about real-world implications of serving the P.L.T., including customer demand and impact on restaurant operations."
Meantime, the El Segundo, Calif-based Beyond Meat announced last week that Sanjay Shah had been named its Chief Operating Officer, assuming responsibility for Beyond Meat’s global operations and production.
Shares in McDonalds picked up $1.94 to $214.57 , while those for Beyond Meat popped $14.07, or 10.1%, to $152.39
