McDonald's announces new McPlant burger - but it is not coming to Australia any time soon

Would anyone eat a burger called McPlant? McDonald's is about to find out.

The global arm of the fast food behemoth said today that it will begin testing the new plant-based burger in key markets next year.

It follows testing of a plant-based burger in some international markets.

"We have created a delicious burger that will be the first menu option in a plant-based platform," Ian Borden, president of McDonald's (MCD) International, said.

He added that the McPlant line could eventually include plant-based chicken and breakfast sandwiches, too.

It is not clear when, or if, the McPlant burger will be sold in Australian McDonald's restaurants.

"We don't have any immediate plans for the McPlant to be launched in Australia," a spokesperson for McDonald's Australia said.

"However, we do still serve the vegetable-based McVeggie burger for customers looking for a meat alternative option."

McDonalds joins other fast food chains like Burger King and Dunkin' in getting in on the plant-based trend.

Last year, it began testing a burger in Canada made with patties from Beyond Meat, a seller of meatless products.

"Beyond Meat and McDonalds co-created the plant-based patty which will be available as part of their McPlant platform," a Beyond Meat spokesperson said.

McDonald's declined to comment on which suppliers it's working with for the McPlant line.

McDonald's isn't just going all in on meat substitutes.

In addition to the McPlant line, McDonald's said in a strategy update to investors that it would capitalise on consumer trends that strengthened during the pandemic — like eating comfort food.

That means focusing on its most popular menu items and selling more chicken.

"Demand for the familiar in these uncertain times is more important than ever," McDonald's said in its investor update, adding that it expects core menu items like its Big Mac and Quarter Pounder burgers, Chicken McNuggets and french fries to contribute to its growth moving forward.