Vegan-friendly meatball marinara subs are now available at Subway Canada. American businesswoman and television personality Martha Stewart partnered with the chain to announce the launch.
The new six-inch sandwich features plant-based meatballs made by California-based brand, Beyond Meat. They’re accompanied by marinara sauce, grated parmesan, and mozzarella on toasted bread. Leave off the cheese to make it vegan. According to the brand, the Beyond Meatball Marinara Sub contains 22 grams of protein.
In a video announcing the launch, the Martha Stewart Living founder cultivates Beyond Meatballs on a tree (yes, really) and gives tips for maintaining the plant (yes…really). But, the good news is that you don’t have to have a green thumb to get the sandwich — you just have to mosey over to Subway Canada.
“Subway® had me at ‘an exciting new plant-based protein choice,’ because that’s perfect for my lifestyle. The new Beyond Meatball™ subs really are delicious – and you could say I’m an expert when it comes to good taste,” Stewart said in a statement.
Vegan at Subway
Tne nationwide launch follows a trial that kicked off at 685 stores across the U.S. and Canada last September. The plant-based meatballs were made by Beyond Meat exclusively for Subway, so you can’t get them anywhere else. In the UK, Subway launched the Meatless Meatball Marinara, featuring vegan meatballs and dairy-free cheese, earlier this month.
Ethan Brown, CEO and founder of Beyond Meat said at the time: “We’re excited to partner with Subway and are grateful that the menu team through to senior management has entrusted us as their innovation partner to deliver delicious plant-based proteins to their guests.”
Beyond Meat x Fast Food
This isn’t the first of Beyond Meat’s fast food partnership. The El Segundo, California-based brand has partnerships with multiple chains, including A&W Canada, Dunkin’, Del Taco, Carl’s Jr., Hardees, and TGI Fridays. It has also conducted trials with KFC and select Canadian McDonald’s and 7-Eleven stores.
In a recent interview with Business Insider, Chuck Muth, Beyond Meat’s chief growth officer, explained that the company works with restaurants to develop proprietary menu items that customers can’t find in stores.
“These large QSRs want something that is unique and special that also reflects their culinary direction,” Muth said. He continued, “That’s where our capabilities come in. We have the capabilities here of customizing items that work. And that’s part of the entrepreneur scrappiness. It’s not a one-size-fits-all.”
Beyond Meatball Marinara Sub is now available at all Subway Canada restaurants.
