KANSAS CITY — Restaurants are collaborating with CPG manufacturers to create co-branded menu items.
Pizza Hut partnered with Beyond Meat, Inc. to debut the Beyond Pepperoni Pizza, featuring 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.
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. joined forces with The Hershey Co. to introduce two S’mores donuts.
The S’mores Classic Doughnut features a donut filled with marshmallow Kreme, dipped in Hershey’s chocolate icing, drizzled with marshmallow Kreme and chocolate icing and topped with graham cracker crumbs.
The S’mores Fudge Cake Doughnut features a Hershey’s fudge cake donut, dipped in marshmallow icing, decorated with Hershey’s chocolate icing and topped with chocolate chips.
“We’re teaming up with Hershey’s, one of the key ingredients for any s’more, to give fans donuts that satisfy their marshmallow-graham-cracker-chocolate desires in an amazing new way,” said Dave Skena, chief marketing officer for Krispy Kreme.
Taco Bell teamed with Truff, a truffle hot sauce brand, to test new Loaded Truff Nacho Fries and the Loaded Truff Fries Burrito. The two menu items feature a combination of Taco Bell’s nacho cheese sauce and Truff’s blend of black truffles and red chili peppers.
“We’re always looking for ways to serve up new innovations to our fans, and this partnership with Truff takes our beloved Nacho Fries to a new level,” said Rene Pisciotti, executive chef at Taco Bell, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. “Truff is rapidly growing and becoming the go-to luxury hot sauce line, so it makes total sense for us to join forces and bring the world new spicy creations.”
The Loaded Truff Nacho Fries feature seasoned fries topped with steak, Truff nacho cheese sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, tomato and reduced-fat sour cream.
The Loaded Truff Fries Burrito includes seasoned fries, steak, Truff nacho cheese sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, tomato and reduced-fat sour cream wrapped in a warm tortilla.
“We are constantly inspired by Taco Bell's ability to evolve with pop culture and create conversation-generating experiences, which is why the brand immediately stood out as the perfect partner for our first-ever QSR offering,” said Nick Guillen, co-founder and co-chief executive officer at Truff. “Together, we've created an unexpected mashup of Truff and Taco Bell sauces that is distinctively delicious. We are excited to share this game-changing sauce and elevate the conventions of fast food.”
Loaded Truff Nacho Fries and the Loaded Truff Fries Burrito are testing at one Taco Bell location in Newport Beach, Calif., until Aug. 31 while supplies last.
