The partnership will help restaurant operators stay up-to-date with consumer demand for crave-worthy and innovative plant-based offerings.
Demand for plant-based meat in the United States is forecasted to increase at a CAGR of 6.2% and reach a market value of $ 2.8 billion by the end of 2034, which means fast casual and QSR brands are looking to add meat-free options to the menu. Luckily, there are hundreds of food manufacturers specializing in plant-based offerings, said Hannah Lopez, head of Marketplace for the Plant Based Foods Association.
“Raising awareness about plant-based options is essential to creating a more sustainable and equitable food system,” said Lopez about the association’s mission of ensuring a fair and competitive marketplace for businesses selling plant-based foods.
That mission led Lopez and her team to partner with my team at Networld Media Group, the parent company of FastCasual, QSRWeb, Food Truck Operator and Pizza Marketplace as well as the Fast Casual Executive Summit and the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit. Our goal is to help the association and its 200-member companies teach restaurant operators what the plant-based world can offer their brands.
“By partnering with NetWorld Media, we’re reaching key stakeholders and helping them understand the growing consumer demand for crave-worthy and innovative plant-based offerings,” Lopez said.
FastCasual and our sister sites will cover the association’s lobbying efforts in Washington D.C., plant-based menu trends and how the consumer demand for the foods changes over time.
Members of the association will receive discounts on online advertising and NMG event sponsorships, including theRestaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit, March 11-13 in Myrtle Beach. There will also be a Plant-Based Foods Pavillion, where companies may serve samples of their meat-free offerings. Register here for the Summit.
2025 Menu Trends: Can You Really Please Everybody?
One of the panels I’m looking forward to is “2025 Menu Trends: Can You Really Please Everybody?” It discusses a variety of menu trends, including plant-based and flexitarian options, hyperlocal and seasonal menus, global flavors, wellness-focused dining and using menu changes to provide more personalized and experiential dining elements.
Panelists include:
- Joel Bulger, CMO, WOWorks.
- Daniel Camp, director of Culinary, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop.
- Shawn Lalehzarian, co-founder & CEO, The Red Chickz.
- Evonne Varady, co-founder, Clean Eatz.
Plant Based Foods Association membership info
Membership to the Plant Based Foods Association is open to operators, brokers, distributors and brands. Interested companies may visit plantbasedfoods.org and navigate to the “Membership” section to learn more about the benefits and submit an application.
“We welcome members who are passionate about contributing to the growth and success of the plant-based foods industry, whether they are established brands or emerging innovators,” Lopez said. “We provide resources for the marketplace to stay up to date with industry trends, consumer preferences and connect with manufacturers and suppliers.”
About Networld Media Group
Founded in 2000, Networld Media Group is a leading media communications company specializing in digital media, events and associations in the technology, restaurant, banking, and retail industries. It’s media brands include ATMmarketplace.com, DigitalSignageToday.com, FastCasual.com, KioskMarketplace.com, QSRweb.com, RetailCustomerExperience.com and RewardsThatMatter.com. Events under the Networld umbrella include the Fast Casual Executive Summit, the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit and the Self-Service Innovation Summit.
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