Restaurants Are Missing the Plant-Based Diner, GFI Foodservice Report Finds

A new report from the Good Food Institute (GFI) highlights a significant gap between consumer interest in plant-based meat and what US restaurant chains offer on their menus. Despite 71% of consumers being open to plant-based options, only around 8% of the top 250 US restaurant chains provide a plant-based meat dish. The report suggests that restaurants are missing out on a valuable segment of consumers who are willing to spend more on plant-based items.

Consumer preferences for taste and price were identified as key factors in choosing plant-based dishes. Many consumers indicated they had not ordered plant-based options due to a lack of availability on menus. The report also found that using specific terms like "plant-based" or providing health claims and protein content information on menus could help increase selection rates. Overall, the findings suggest that there is a disconnect between what consumers want and what restaurants are currently offering in terms of plant-based dining options.