Hilary Russ

NEW YORK (Reuters) – According to Wall Street analysts, McDonald’s Corp. (NYSE:) will expand its plant-based burgers by adding Beyond Meat (NASDAQ.) Inc. in the United States. This is expected to take place in 2022.

They began testing McPlant’s patty at eight McDonald’s U.S. stores in November. The analysts stated that these restaurants had been selling sufficient sandwiches (up to 70 per days) for the expansion of the trial.

McDonald’s announced that it would be updating customers with more information when the test results are available. Tuesday’s update was not provided by the company. Beyond didn’t respond to our request for comment.

McDonald’s could make it easier for plant-based meat producers in general and beyond to offer a plant-based hamburger at their more than 13500 U.S. stores.

As restaurant chains add vegetarian and vegan menu options, rivals have been competing for partnership opportunities with them. Beyond will be working with Yum Brands Inc owner of Taco Bell, and Impossible Foods partnered up with Burger King (a unit from Restaurant Brands International) Inc.

Peter Saleh from BTIG said Monday in a research paper that he anticipates the product being in 700 restaurants throughout several regions in February andMarch as a limited time offer. The national rollout will be possible in 2023.

Saleh explained that, unlike the existing test, this expansion would include local and regional advertising, which will be paid for by McDonald’s franchisees as well as possibly Beyond.

Piper Sandler Analyst Michael Lavery stated in separate words that McPlant Burgers may be launched by McDonald’s in 2022’s first quarter, which is earlier than originally anticipated.

Beyond may feel this could impact its margins. He said that while it would sell more patties than originally predicted, the actual price may be closer to $4.00 per kilogram (or $5.25 Lavery had initially estimated) as the company seeks to reduce the prices of animal proteins by 2024.