In a round-about way, OSI Group is now manufacturing Whoppers as well as Big Macs. The 100-year-old veteran of the fast-food wars is mostly known for providing McDonalds with its meat. But now, it is also supplying Burger King with its non-meat. The meatless option being non-other than the Impossible Whopper.
The Impossible Whopper was given full approval in the late summer of 2019. Burger King levied a full campaign upon its release and is still pumping the meatless option of its trademark meatless burger today. So far, the reception has been very warm. Some might even call it hot. One thing for sure, the Impossible Whopper is not going anywhere anytime soon. The release marked a big expansion for the Impossible Burger’s manufacturer Impossible Foods, but the victory was bittersweet as the demand for the faux burger tripled. Soon, Impossible Foods solitary plant could not keep up. This is when the company reached out to OSI Group.
OSI Group gained success and notoriety through its association with McDonalds. The fast-food mega-franchise first tapped OSI back in 1955. Founder Roy Kroc chose the Chicago meat market, Otto & Sons, to supply the Des Planes location of Mickey D’s. The quality of their meat was so good Kroc decided to use them for all his locations. OSI grew with Mc D’s over the years, expanding out of Chicago and gaining international status alongside the golden arches. Today, OSI Group has 65 plants in 17 countries. It was the perfect choice for Impossible Foods. ONce OSI began producing Impossible Burgers in its plants it doubled Impossible Food’s production.
The Impossible Burger is OSI’s first step into the field of analogue products. It certainly will not replace OSI’s production of meat. The Impossible Burger is a profitable addition. Profitable because it is currently a very popular sensation. OSI itself has been dedicated to safer and healthier methods of production since CEO Sheldon Lavin took the reins, so producing bean-based patties certainly fits the current mission statement. Whether this will lead to other meat substitute products remains to be seen.
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