Health, taste preference, animal protection, cost, and concern for the environment are all contributing factors to the quickly growing vegan movement sweeping the nation and world.
While the motivation behind the vegan movement may differ by the person, recent studies show a 6% increase in people following a vegan diet, putting the total at over 19 million in the U.S alone
With this movement covering a range of demographics, ages, and cities, companies can’t ignore the necessity to offer vegan options at their locations. Big names like Starbucks, Panera, Dunkin’ Donuts and Burger King have all made major changes to their menus to cater to this global trend.
Find out more information below as well as our top vegan item at each location!
Dunkin Donuts Launches Oat Milk Latte Option Nationwide
Partnering with Beyond Meat, Dunkin' has now added a vegan sausage breakfast sandwich to its menu. They are wasting no time offering this to the masses, releasing it to more than 9,000 locations. What better to pair a vegan breakfast sandwich with than an Oatmilk Latte, which should be entering Dunkin' chains nationwide this spring. Certain locations in California are getting a sneak peak into this new addition with samplings setup throughout the month for customers to taste the new Oatmilk.
Our Favorite Vegan Option: Beyond Sausage Breakfast Sandwich
Panera Removing Meat From 50% of its Menu, and More Coming
In an effort to offer healthier and more sustainable options, Panera is cutting down on meat in their menu. Unlike other chains, Panera will not be offering Beyond Meat options, but rather plans to incorporate more plant-based whole foods such as quinoa and edamame. Their goal is to have plant-based option in each of their six menu categories by 2021. Instead of getting rid of the foods you’ve come to love, Panera is planning on adding more items to offer options to all dietary preferences.
Our Favorite Vegan Option: Fuji Apple Salad with Garden Vegetable Soup
PETA becomes Starbucks Shareholder, releasing more Vegan options
While getting a black coffee is always an easy solution to buying vegan at Starbucks, they are also offering Oatly oat milk at over 1,300 locations in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin. Other milk replacements to add to your coffee include soy, almond or coconut milk. Be sure to avoid any pumpkin spice, white mocha or chai lattes however, which do not currently have a vegan substitute option.We suggest trying out a Nitro Cold Brew as well, which has tiny nitrogen bubbles, making you feel like you are drinking milk without actually consuming any dairy.
Our Favorite Vegan Option: Almond Milk Mocha Frappuccino
BK launches Rebel Burger to Accompany Impossible Whopper
Burger King has bean leading the discussion around vegan fast food burgers with the release of their Impossible Burger, made from vegan Impossible Meat. If you're vegan, don't worry about passing on the french fries, which use vegetable oil and therefore are vegan-friendly. More recent news has come out in the U.K with the release of the Rebel Whopper, which while being plant-based, is still cooked on the same broiler as the original whopper. Aimed at "flexitarians" and those who are simply looking to cut down on their meat intake can still enjoy the Rebel Whopper as well as BK's Veggie Bean Burger.
Our Favorite Vegan Option: Impossible Whopper (ask to be cooked separately)