Former McDonald's CEO backs plant-based Project Pollo

The Texas-based, fast casual restaurant chain Project Pollo will be getting a boost from former CEO of McDonald’s Steve Easterbrook. The plant-based vegan company accepted a growth investment from Easterbrook who will also be a direct advisor to Project Pollo CEO, Lucas Bradbury, according to QSR

(nito100 | iStock.com)
(nito100 | iStock.com)

The Texas-based, fast casual restaurant chain Project Pollo will be getting a boost from former CEO of McDonald’s Steve Easterbrook. The plant-based vegan company accepted a growth investment from Easterbrook who will also be a direct advisor to Project Pollo CEO, Lucas Bradbury, according to QSR

Project Pollo

Project Pollo gained attention online when it was featured on ABC’s “Shark Tank.” While a deal was not made on the show, the restaurant was able to expand on its own to 15 locations in Texas. With the support from Easterbrook, Bradbury plans to franchise into other states at a rate of approximately 1.5 franchises per month by the end of 2023 – with the ultimate goal being 100 locations by 2025, according to QSR. 

“This isn’t a play to try to get the whole world to eat healthier. This is a play to get people to eat more sustainable. And if you get a grilled chicken sandwich at our location, there’s nothing wrong with that high fiber, high protein, low fat it’s a great product,” said Bradbury. “It’s not something that I talk about and just don’t support. I actually do, because I think it’s an exceptional product.”

Some of the menu is made from Nex Gen Foods' plant-based chicken product TiNDLE

Steve Easterbrook 

Project Pollo is not the only plant-based restaurant that Easterbrook has invested in. He also announced earlier this year that he would be backing U.K.-based restaurant Clean Kitchen Club. 

“I see a future in plant-based consumption,” said Easterbrook. “By taking the opportunity to partner with some emerging leaders like Project Pollo, we are able to learn from global experiences and relate that to real-time solutions for the brand.”

Easterbrook has plenty of experience in multiplying restaurant locations. In 2011, Easterbrook worked with PizzaExpress to expand the chain from 400 locations to 600, according to VegNews

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