New York (AFP)

Fast-food giant McDonald's, surfing the hype for meat alternatives, plans to put its own line of vegetarian products on its menu soon under the name McPlant.

Presented on Monday as part of a new strategy that also focuses on chicken and take-out sales, this initiative could allow the group to catch up on this niche.

Burger King launched a vegetarian version of its iconic “Whopper” burger in the United States in April 2019.

Other chains like Dunkin 'or Starbucks have also tried the experiment of products intended to satisfy customers more sensitive to the protection of the environment or animals, and in search of a diet a little less rich.

Alternatives like soybean steaks have been around for a long time, but start-ups like Beyond Meat and Impossible Burger have in recent years developed products that are much closer to the taste, texture and color of animal meat.

McDonald's has already tested a burger with a plant-based steak from Beyond Meat in Canada.

He now wants to offer his own mixture, made exclusively for McDonald's, in certain markets as of next year.

The restaurant chain has not said whether it will renew its partnership with Beyond Meat, just indicating that it will use third-party suppliers as with the rest of its products.

Beyond Meat's share lost around 4% on Monday on the New York Stock Exchange.

The McPlant line could eventually expand to alternatives to chicken, or egg-and-bacon breakfast sandwiches, the group added in a presentation to investors.

"We are thrilled with this opportunity because we believe we have a proven product that tastes great," said Ian Borden, who heads McDonald's international operations.

“When customers are ready, we are ready for them,” he added.

- The classics still present -

McDonald's still relies on its flagship products like the "Big Mac", "McNuggets" and French fries, which still account for about 70% of its sales in its main markets.

"As demand for familiar products in these uncertain times is greater than ever, (McDonald's) believes these staple classics will continue to be important growth engines through their popularity and profitability," the group said in a statement.

McDonald's still wants to make some changes, such as new buns for burgers and "an improved approach" to cooking steaks.

He also wants to focus on his chicken-based products, which grow faster than those made from beef.

After the success of a temporary offer on spicy nuggets in the United States, McDonald's plans to launch a crispy chicken sandwich in the country in 2021.

To boost internet sales, which have already grown significantly since the start of the pandemic, the group will also test a new online platform and a new loyalty program.

McDonald's also plans to build establishments that will only serve customers behind the wheel and to dedicate lines to those who have already ordered on the internet.

The group once again saw its global turnover fall by 2% in the third quarter under the effect of the pandemic.

However, this is better than the 30% drop in sales observed in the second quarter and the group managed to generate a net profit up 10% to 1.76 billion dollars.

Almost all of the chain's establishments were open during the period.

"However, due to the surge in Covid-19 since September, we have repeatedly observed government restrictions on hours, the number of people who can eat indoors in most countries and in some case, the total closure of the food hall, "said McDonald's.

"These restrictions affect most of the company's key markets outside the United States, including France, Germany, Canada and the United Kingdom," the company warned.

© 2020 AFP