Life & Style | McDonald’s takes a nibble of the plant-based burger

McDonald’s is finally taking a nibble of the plant-based burger.

McDonald’s said that will sell the PLT, or the plant, lettuce and tomato burger for 12 weeks in 28 restaurants in Southwestern Ontario by the end of the month. McDonald’s says it developed a special recipe using burgers from Beyond Meat, a California-based startup that makes “meat” from pea protein, canola oil, beet juice and other ingredients.

The small-market test is rolling out about six months after rival Burger King began testing the plant-based Impossible Foods burger, a rival to Beyond Meat. It’s now selling the Impossible Whopper nationwide because of strong demand from customers.

The entry of McDonald’s, the world’s largest burger chain, into the alternative meat arena has largely been seen as a question of when, and not if.

The burgers aren’t really aimed at vegans or vegetarians, but at meat eaters who perceive plant-based eating as healthier and more environmentally conscious. In a recent survey, the consulting firm AlixPartners found that 61% of U.S. meat eaters sometimes order vegan or vegetarian food at restaurants.

Split no more, Spider-Man gets another swing with Marvel

Spider-Man won’t be leaving the Marvel Cinematic Universe anytime soon.

After a public fallout last month, Sony Pictures Entertainment and The Walt Disney Studios have found a way to work together. The studios said Friday that they would be teaming up once more to produce a third “Spider-Man” film starring Tom Holland.

Disputes over the profit-sharing structure put Spidey’s future in the MCU in doubt, much to the chagrin of many fans who had enjoyed seeing Spider-Man fighting alongside The Avengers.

Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige said in a statement that he’s thrilled that the character’s journey in the MCU is continuing. Producer Amy Pascal added that it has been a “winning partnership” for both studios.

The next Spidey film will hit theaters on July 16, 2021.

Taylor Swift, Lizzo, BTS to perform on Jingle Ball tour

Taylor Swift, Lizzo, Billie Eilish and BTS are set to perform on the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour this holiday season.

IHeartMedia announced Friday that the 12-city tour kicks off Dec. 1 in Tampa, Florida. The lineup, which varies by city, also includes Lil Nas X, Sam Smith, Camila Cabello, Khalid, Halsey, Katy Perry and Jonas Brothers.

The tour will visit Inglewood, California; San Francisco; Philadelphia; Boston; Washington, D.C.; Chicago and Atlanta. The tour wraps Dec. 22 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The Dec. 13 show at New York’s Madison Square Garden will livestream on CWTV.com, the CW app and iHeartRadio stations. It will be broadcast Dec. 19 on the CW Network.

Other performers include 5 Seconds of Summer, Normani, Charlie Puth, French Montana, Dan + Shay and Monsta X.

Tickets go on sale Oct. 11.