Nestlé’s Vegan Bacon Cheeseburger Could Be Next for McDonald’s

Is McDonald's UK About to Launch a Vegan Cheeseburger?

Swiss food and drink processing company Nestle S.A. has developed vegan bacon and dairy-free cheese. Nestlé already produces a vegan beef patty under its Garden Gourmet brand. Nestlé said it is the first company to offer the three main ingredients for a vegan bacon cheeseburger. Could McDonald’s be the first to stock it?

Nestlé enlisted the help of food scientists and top chefs to bring the “no-compromise” vegan burger to life.

“It delivers on familiar tastes that consumers are seeking out in plant-based alternatives,” Nestle said in a statement. “The vegan cheddar cheese alternative has the texture, meltability and delicious, rich taste of dairy cheese. The vegan bacon alternative becomes crispy and chewy when cooked, similar to animal-based bacon, and has the same satisfying flavor.”

The burger delivers the experience of a meat-based version but sidesteps many health risks. The plant-based bacon cheeseburger is “significantly lower” in fat and saturated fat, has no cholesterol, and has more fiber than a conventional bacon cheeseburger. Nestlé also notes it is better for the planet, tying into the company’s goal of reaching zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Nestlé’s CEO Mark Schneider said the company created the burger to cater to growing demand. “More and more consumers are looking for delicious, nutritious and sustainable plant-based options when they dine out. We have now raised the bar by developing a ‘PB triple play’ of ingredients for an all-time classic: the bacon cheeseburger,” Schneider said. “We’re continuing to make good on our promise to offer consumers food that is right for them and right for the planet.”

Nestlé’s Vegan Bacon Cheeseburger Could Be Next for McDonald’s
McDonald’s offers vegan burgers at some of its locations.

Vegan Food at McDonald’s

Nestlé’s vegan bacon cheeseburger will be offered to restaurant and foodservice operators from next year. It’s possible McDonald’s will be one of the first to stock it. The leading fast-food chain has teamed up with Nestlé in the past to launch vegan options.

McDonald’s Germany launched a vegan burger called the Big Vegan TS earlier this year. The item features Nestlé’s Incredible Burger, a plant-based patty made from soy and wheat protein. It contains 17 grams of protein – the same amount as the meat options at McDonald’s.

Nestle Europe’s chief executive Marco Settembri said to CNBC at the time, “McDonald’s is an exciting and big customer, but it is not the only option and we have quite good capacity to cope with a (possible) extension beyond Germany.”