Tropical Smoothie Cafe® Debuts Beyond Meat™ Chicken-Free Strips Nationwide

Health-Conscious Franchise Becomes First National Restaurant to Partner with Plant-Based Protein Maker

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May 21, 2013, 09:04 ET

ATLANTA, May 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In a move to further cement its status as a health-conscious restaurant brand, Atlanta-based Tropical Smoothie Cafe® has partnered with Beyond Meat™, a Los Angeles-based company that specializes in plant-based protein products that look, taste and chew just like chicken. Tropical Smoothie Cafe, with 338 locations across the U.S., is the first national restaurant chain to serve Beyond Meat's 100 percent plant-based, chicken-free products. All locations will add this menu option starting May 21.

The Chicken-Free Strips are a blend of soy and pea protein, mirroring the taste of real chicken. Tropical Smoothie Cafe will debut Beyond Meat's lightly seasoned flavor line, oven-baked with the savory spices of roasted chicken. The strips will be available to replace chicken in any of the salad, flatbread or wrap menu items at Tropical Smoothie Cafe at no additional charge.

"Beyond Meat's research shows that nearly 50 percent of the U.S. population is at least open to the idea of eating less or no meat in their diet, and this aligns well with our healthier customer base," said Mike Rotondo, CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe.

Beyond Meat, which was founded in 2009, began selling its retail products in Whole Foods Market in the summer of 2012 and is not yet available in any other national restaurant chain. Per three ounce serving, Beyond Meat's Chicken-Free Strips have 18 grams of protein and only 120 calories and 290 milligrams of sodium.

"Tropical Smoothie Cafe is going to really help us push our awareness and distribution to the next level," said Beyond Meat Founder and CEO, Ethan Brown.

To learn more about Tropical Smoothie Cafe, visit www.tropicalsmoothiecafe.com. To learn more about Beyond Meat, visit www.beyondmeat.com.

About Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Established in 1997, Tropical Smoothie Cafe has taken the smoothie concept to the next level by offering diners a healthy alternative to typical fast food. The concept, which introduced food in 1999, provides consumers with a variety of high-quality real-fruit smoothies, specialty wraps, sandwiches, grilled flatbreads and salads. Tropical Smoothie Cafe has 338 locations open in the United States, with an additional 36 currently in development. For more information, including franchising opportunities, visit www.tropicalsmoothiecafe.com.

About Beyond Meat
Based in Los Angeles, Beyond Meat is a privately held company that is on the cutting edge of plant protein research and development. With a goal of driving innovation and progress on meat-free plates around the world, the company provides consumers with plant-based protein foods that take the animal out of meat – without sacrificing the taste, chew or satisfaction. The company's products are also available for food service customers through major distributors. Please visit www.beyondmeat.com for more reasons to move Beyond Meat.

SOURCE Tropical Smoothie Cafe