El Pollo Loco is not shutting down the idea of introducing a plant-based meat product to its chicken-friendly menu.
"Never say never," Bernard Acoca, CEO of El Pollo Loco in an interview with Cheddar. "Plant-based is becoming what appears to be a trend and we won't rule it out, and it may be something that we look to in our future."
Fake meat makers including Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods have brought mock-meat into the spotlight, and their early success demonstrates the substantial demand for products such as plant-based burgers and sausages. Part of the popularity is a result of consumers' desire for a healthier diet. In fact, 83 percent of U.S. consumers cite improving overall health and nutrition as motivation for eating plant-based foods, according to a Nielsen survey. But El Pollo Loco doesn't think plant-based is the only solution.
"If you're looking to eat healthy, we have a way for you to do that today," Acoca said.
El Pollo Loco's CEO pointed to the restaurant chain's Mexican-inspired menu featuring grilled chicken, vegetarian options, and an under 500 calories menu that he said will "cater to any diet."
The total meat market is estimated to be a $1.4 trillion category, and many restaurants are preparing for plant-based to be a major contributor to the segment's growth. Chains including BurgerFi, KFC, Dunkin' Donuts, and Carl's Junior have already teamed up with Beyond Meat, while restaurants such as White Castle, Applebee's, and Burger King have partnered with Impossible Foods. Meat processors are also taking notice. Tyson Foods launched its Raised & Rooted brand this past summer, which features its nuggets made with pea protein, bamboo fiber, egg white, and golden flaxseed.
The Rev. Al Sharpton is set to lead a protest march on Wall Street to urge corporate America to resist the Trump administration’s campaign to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The New York civil rights leader will join clergy, labor and community leaders Thursday in a demonstration through Manhattan’s Financial District that’s timed with the anniversary of the Civil Rights-era March on Washington in 1963. Sharpton called DEI the “civil rights fight of our generation." He and other Black leaders have called for boycotting American retailers that scaled backed policies and programs aimed at bolstering diversity and reducing discrimination in their ranks.
President Donald Trump's administration last month awarded a $1.2 billion contract to build and operate what's expected to become the nation’s largest immigration detention complex to a tiny Virginia firm with no experience running correction facilities.
Chipmaker Nvidia is poised to release a quarterly report that could provide a better sense of whether the stock market has been riding an overhyped artificial intelligence bubble or is being propelled by a technological boom that’s still gathering momentum.
Cracker Barrel said late Tuesday it’s returning to its old logo after critics — including President Donald Trump — protested the company’s plan to modernize.
Low-value imports are losing their duty-free status in the U.S. this week as part of President Donald Trump's agenda for making the nation less dependent on foreign goods. A widely used customs exemption for international shipments worth $800 or less is set to end starting on Friday. Trump already ended the “de minimis” rule for inexpensive items sent from China and Hong Kong, but having to pay import taxes on small parcels from everywhere else likely will be a big change for some small businesses and online shoppers. Purchases that previously entered the U.S. without needing to clear customs will be subject to the origin country’s tariff rate, which can range from 10% to 50%.
Southwest Airlines will soon require plus-size travelers to pay for an extra seat in advance if they can't fit within the armrests of one seat. This change is part of several updates the airline is making. The new rule starts on Jan. 27, the same day Southwest begins assigning seats. Currently, plus-size passengers can pay for an extra seat in advance and later get a refund, or request a free extra seat at the airport. Under the new policy, refunds are still possible but not guaranteed. Southwest said in a statement it is updating policies to prepare for assigned seating next year.
Cracker Barrel is sticking with its new logo. For now. But the chain is also apologizing to fans who were angered when the change was announced last week.
Elon Musk on Monday targeted Apple and OpenAI in an antitrust lawsuit alleging that the iPhone maker and the ChatGPT maker are teaming up to thwart competition in artificial intelligence.
