Compass Group’s division Eurest, a leader in hospitality and food service in the USA, has partnered with the Irish company The Plant-It Food Co. (Plant It) to serve its plant-based chicken across its non-commercial operations in five markets: Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia, before a broader national rollout.
Eurest, which highlights the versatility of Plant It’s vegan chicken, says that its chefs and dietitians have prepared it in multiple recipes — breaded, crumbled, filleted, or grilled — to suit diverse global and American cuisines, providing more plant-based options.
“It’s exciting to introduce better-for-you options to our guests that they may not have tried otherwise”
The companies state that their partnership aims to promote healthier and more sustainable eating habits, highlighting the dual benefits of delicious food and positive environmental actions.
“It’s exciting to introduce better-for-you options to our guests that they may not have tried otherwise and, ultimately, put more plants on the plate. We are committed to culinary innovation that is good for people and the planet and prioritize sourcing ingredients and products from companies that align with our Food with Purpose wellness and sustainability goals,” shares Suzanne Landry, Eurest VP of Wellness and Sustainability.
“One meal at a time”
The Plant-It Food Co., a family-run frozen food company based in Dublin, produces a wide range of products, including plant-powered ready meals, plant-based beef, and chicken. The meat alternatives are developed using technology that transforms legumes into protein strands and fibers.
Founded in 2021, the young company is already present in eight countries, including Ireland, the UK, Canada, the Middle East, Germany, Baltic countries, China, and the US, its top expansion market. Beyond food, the Irish brand also supports tree planting and reforestation projects in the communities where it serves.
Eoin Kennedy, CCO at The Plant-It Food Co., comments, “By combining our innovative, healthy products with Eurest’s culinary expertise, we aim to inspire and delight consumers with an elevated plant-based dining experience. Together, we are not just creating food, but supporting a movement towards a healthier and more sustainable future, one meal at a time.”
Great stories behind good food
Eurest is a division of Compass Group, serving over 1,000,000 meals daily through food service initiatives, including employee dining centers, on-site catering, vending, executive dining rooms, and other managed services across the US.
Eurest’s focus on plant-forward strategies supports Compass Group’s commitment to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, which aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
In addition, as part of The Plant-It Food Co.’s tree planting goals, the partnership between the companies will support communities through reforestation projects where products are purchased. So far, over 5,000 trees have been planted across the US, most recently with Eurest and Citizens Bank in Johnston, Rhode Island, Eurest noted.
“We know from our research and guest surveying that guests, first and foremost, are looking for delicious, flavorful food, so it’s a great story that we get to tell them after they already feel good about their meal,” added Landry.
