TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — To celebrate Earth Day, Dachan Foods (大成) announced two new vegetarian restaurant franchises "Neo Kitchen" and "Gino Green."

The restaurants will use the company's plant-based meat to create affordable vegetarian and vegan dishes encompassing Chinese and Western cuisine. Dachan will debut the new restaurants in late April at the food court in Neihu’s Tri-Service General Hospital, per China Times.

In 2020, Dachan established Neo Foods with an investment of NT$1 billion (US$30.8 million) to create a factory dedicated to plant-based meat. The factory is in production, with an annual production capacity of NT$2 billion. 

Dachan said the first phase of brand development will focus on catering channels, supermarkets, convenience stores, online and offline sales, and the US market. Dachan also hopes to introduce plant-based meat to consumers who are not vegetarians.

Neo Kitchen will launch signature dishes such as plant-based beef noodles and fried dumplings. These products will utilize the company’s new technology that simulates meat fibers with better aroma, taste, and juiciness.

Dachan is also targeting the fast food industry in the US, which typically serves beef burgers. The company aims to sell plant-based burgers at a price comparable to real beef burgers.

Dachan Vice President Dennis Han (韓家寅) said the company’s plant-based meat segment has grown by 50% in the past two years. This includes exports to the US, Canada, Germany, and Japan, per UDN.

When asked about future goals for domestic store expansion, Han said he is optimistic about new restaurant openings. For example, Taiwan has the world's second-largest vegetarian population per capita, according to WorldAtlas.