Detroit-based pizza chain Little Caesars has launched a new meatless product, the Planteroni Pizza, consisting of cheese and plant-based pepperoni. Little Caesars officials say it is the largest national chain to offer a plant-based pepperoni option.
The new menu item is currently offered in Detroit, Los Angeles, New York City, Miami, San Francisco, and Portland.
According to recent data, half of the food industry’s consumers would choose to enjoy a plant-based meal over a meat-based option to satisfy their appetite. The Planteroni pizza by Little Caesars and the Field Roast brandacts as an outreach to customers who would rather enjoy a plant-based pepperoni pizza that still offers the original taste of a meat-based option.
Little Caesar’s Planteroni is made up of pea-protein, whereas most plant-meal substitutes are made up of soy, allowing the Planteroni to continue to offer the original pepperoni taste when mixed with whole pieces of fennel, cracked black pepper, garlic, and paprika.
“This is a huge moment for pizza lovers because for the first time, they have access to a zesty, bold, plant-based pepperoni made with pea protein that absolutely delivers on taste,” says Dan Curtin, president of Greenleaf Foods in Elmhurst, Ill., and owner of the Field Roast brand. “We believe every occasion deserves bold, inspired flavors — we’re excited to work with Little Caesars to deliver on that promise.”
Those who want to try the new product can purchase it at any Little Caesar’s location in the listed cities for pick up through Little Caesar’s pre-pay Pizza Portal system, for delivery through the Little Caesars mobile app, or for walk in pickup.
“Planteroni delivers a plant-based version of the delicious flavor of America’s most popular pizza topping, and you need to taste it to believe it,” says Jeff Klein, chief marketing officer at Little Caesars. “This product is really going to surprise and delight our customers.”
