• Donatos will pair its Field Roast plant-based pepperoni with a cauliflower crust.
• The pepperoni is made with a blend of pea, potato and fava bean proteins along with Italian seasonings.

Related: Plant-based proteins are going mainstream on pizza menus

Donatos, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, is ready to help customers with a very achievable New Year’s resolution: eat more vegetables.

The family-owned pizza brand, which has 377 stores in 22 states, will be introducing a plant-based pizza featuring Field Roast pepperoni in nearly 170 locations. The roll-out started January 1, just in time for the new year.

Featuring 50% less sodium, fat and saturated fat compared to traditional pepperoni, Field Roast’s pepperoni is made from a mixture of pea, potato and fava bean proteins and offers the same amount of protein as traditional pepperoni. Italian seasonings like garlic, black pepper, fennel, anise, cayenne and paprika lend the meatless pepperoni an authentic taste, according to the company.

Donatos said the plant-based pepperoni pairs perfectly with its golden cauliflower crust.

“There is no better time for us to introduce plant-based pepperoni to our menu, particularly at the start of a new year when many people resolve to make smarter food choices,” said Carol Pasquariello, senior vice president of marketing for Donatos. “We have a really special way of crafting our signature pizzas, and the new Field Roast Plant-Based Pepperoni on our cauliflower crust will give even more people—from vegetarians to flexitarians—a reason to taste that magic for themselves and fall in love with us as so many others have.”

The newest menu item is Donatos’ first collaboration with Field Roast, a plant-based artisanal meat and cheese brand. Owned by Greenleaf Foods, Field Roast products contain a blend of vegetables, grains, legumes, and fresh herbs and spices.

“Our Field Roast Plant-Based Pepperoni is a delicious, protein-packed substitute for traditional pepperoni, delivering an authentic, bold taste that continues to impress consumers who’ve had the opportunity to enjoy it,” said Dan Curtin, president of Greenleaf Foods. “We are delighted to partner with Donatos to continue to elevate the accessibility of this plant-based alternative to America’s favorite pizza topping.”