PLANO, TEXAS – Beyond Meat, Inc. and Pizza Hut have partnered again to debut Beyond Pepperoni, a plant-based version of the popular pizza topping that marks a first for both brands.
Co-developed by Beyond Meat and Pizza Hut’s culinary teams, Beyond Pepperoni is made from plant-based ingredients including peas and rice and is formulated without GMOs, soy, gluten, hormones, antibiotics or cholesterol. The pepperoni delivers a subtle heat, Beyond Meat said.
"Pizza Hut's new Beyond Pepperoni Pizza delivers the same iconic taste as our original pepperoni that fans know and love," said Georgeanne Erickson, chief brand officer of Pizza Hut, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. "With this new plant-based option, we're giving customers more choices and more reasons to love Pizza Hut."
The Beyond Pepperoni may be served on two different crusts, original stuffed crust or original pan.
"We know there is strong consumer demand for pepperoni, and we're thrilled to unveil a game-changing plant-based pepperoni topping as the next chapter in our innovation-focused partnership with Pizza Hut," said Dariush Ajami, chief innovation officer for Beyond Meat. "We're confident fans will love Beyond Pepperoni as it delivers the crisped edges and savory flavor profile of Pizza Hut's classic pepperoni with the added benefits of plant-based meat."
Beyond Pepperoni Pizza will be tested in nearly 70 locations across five US markets, for a limited time. The five cities chosen for the test are Albany, NY.; Columbus, Ga.; Macon, Ga.; Jacksonville, Fla.; and Houston.
Beyond Meat and Pizza Hut first partnered in November 2020 to develop two Italian Sausage plant-based pizzas.