The Vegetarian Butcher, a Dutch meat substitute company acquired by Unilever last year, has partnered with Burger King to launch the plant-based ‘Rebel Whopper’.
The Rebel Whopper, featuring a patty supplied by The Vegetarian Butcher, is being launched in over 2,500 Burger King restaurants across 25 countries in Europe.
As a result of this deal, Burger King will become one of the biggest restaurant chains offering a plant-based burger across Europe.
With more people are shifting to flexitarian diets worldwide, Unilever highlighted that the partnership was part of its strategy to expand its portfolio of plant-based foods.
Jaap Korteweg, Founder of The Vegetarian Butcher, said: “When I started The Vegetarian Butcher nine years ago, my goal was to be the biggest butcher in the world. To create products for meat lovers, with the ambition of providing the same taste and experience, but plant-based. Working with Burger King on the Rebel Whopper has been amazing, and we can’t wait for all Burger King guests to enjoy it.”
Hanneke Faber, President Unilever Foods & Refreshment, added: “Less than a year after acquiring The Vegetarian Butcher in the Netherlands, we are excited to partner with the iconic Burger King brand across Europe. The new Rebel Whopper powered by The Vegetarian Butcher offers meat lovers a fabulous meat-free experience; and we can’t wait start to realising founder Jaap Korteweg’s dream of becoming the largest butcher in the world.”
