Fast Food – vegconomist – the vegan business magazine

Separate images copyright Mike Tyson Insta /Mr. Charlie's, image created by vegconomist

Mike Tyson’s Investment to Drive Mr. Charlie’s Franchise Expansion Across US and Beyond

October 23, 2024

Mike Tyson, former heavyweight boxing champion and entrepreneur, has invested in the plant-based fast food chain Mr. Charlie’s Told Me So (TMS). Made through Tyson’s holding company, Carma HoldCo, this investment is expected to significantly boost Mr. Charlie’s expansion plans, paving the way for a broader US and international presence. [perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”I very much believe in the healthy benefits of a vegan diet and was a strict vegan for many years”[/perfectpullquote] Known for his advocacy of veganism and plant-based eating, Tyson is helping drive the next phase of growth for the restaurant, which has already gained attention for its unique take on fast food and its social impact initiatives. Tyson’s involvement signals a new chapter for Mr. Charlie’s, which …

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McDonald’s France Launches McPlant Nuggets in Collaboration With Beyond Meat

October 8, 2024

McDonald’s France has partnered with Beyond Meat to launch a new menu option, Veggie McPlant Nuggets, at its 1,560 restaurants. The nuggets are made from pea protein and coated in a wheat and cornflour breading. They are available at the same price as McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets, and in the same formats (x4, x6, x9, and x20). As reported by Le Figaro, consumers responded very positively to the nuggets in taste tests, favourably comparing them to the meat-based McNuggets. The fast food chain said it was confident that the product would be a success. While McDonald’s has previously offered meat-free options in France, they have often been limited-edition, and unsuitable for vegans due to the inclusion of dairy or eggs. In contrast, the new nuggets are …

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Odd Burger Opens $4M Round to Fuel Vegan Fast Food Expansion Following Strong Q3 Results

September 20, 2024

Odd Burger Corporation, the company behind the vegan fast food chain Odd Burger, has announced a non-brokered private placement to raise up to $4 million via convertible debentures. As explained in the announcement, the debentures have a 36-month maturity and carry a 15% annual interest rate. Additionally, they can be converted into common shares at $0.25 each and may be forcibly converted if share prices increase significantly. Odd Burger is a franchised vegan fast-food chain with a vertically integrated supply chain and 17 operational stores across Canada. The first Odd Burger restaurant opened in London, Ontario, in December 2016, becoming the country’s first vegan-fast food restaurant. Today, the firm focuses on smart kitchens, advanced cooking technology, competitive pricing, and high-quality ingredients to offer healthier options …

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Mr. Charlie’s Partners With Stockeld Dreamery to Launch Plant-Based Mr. Royale with Cheese

July 30, 2024

Sweden / New York-based vegan cheese brand Stockeld Dreamery has partnered with vegan fast food chain Mr. Charlie’s to launch the Mr. Royale with Cheese. The burger features Stockeld Dreamery’s dairy-free cultured cheddar, which is made with traditional cheese fermentation techniques. The cheese alternative is said to have excellent melting properties and a higher protein content than competing products. The Royale with Cheese is currently available at Mr. Charlie’s’ Los Angeles restaurant and will roll out at the chain’s San Francisco location in the next two weeks. “We’re delighted to be teaming up with these cool humans and their revolutionary cultured cheddar,” said Taylor Mckinnon, co-founder and CMO at Mr. Charlie’s. “I’m always trying to push the boundaries with our menu, so finding a plant-based …

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Next Level Burger Outshines Conventional Fast Food Chains, Landing #1 Spot in Awards Voted by Newsweek Readers

July 29, 2024July 29, 2024

Next Level Burger (NLB), which refers to itself as “America’s first 100% plant-based burger joint chain,” announces it has received the title of Best Fast-Food Chain in the 2024 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards and winning against conventional non-vegan chains. Next Level Burger was the sole plant-based nominee among conventional fast-food giants. The winners were selected based on public votes after a panel of experts at Newsweek put forward a list of nominees. [perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”The fact that our 10-unit vegan restaurant chain was able to beat out chains with […] global brand presence is an incredible honor”[/perfectpullquote] Matt de Gruyter, co-founder and CEO of NLB, stated, “The fact that our 10-unit vegan restaurant chain was able to beat out chains …

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McDonald’s Says McPlant Trial Was Unsuccessful in the US, Meanwhile Ongoing Expansion Continues in Europe

June 27, 2024

Joe Erlinger, the president of McDonald’s US, has said that trials of the McPlant burger in the country were not successful, despite the ongoing expansion of the menu option in Europe. Speaking at the Wall Street Journal Global Food Forum in Chicago, Erlinger said the burger had been tested in two US cities — San Francisco and Dallas — but had not performed well enough in either one. Consequently, McDonald’s US does not have immediate plans to introduce plant-based options; however, Erlinger said the chain would continue to monitor the plant-based meat trend. He noted that there was little demand for healthier options at McDonald’s US, with even salads having been discontinued due to poor sales. Additionally, he said the prices of plant-based products were …

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Plant Power Fast Food Introduces Limited-Time Plant-Based BBQ Rib Sandwich

June 20, 2024

Plant Power Fast Food has announced the launch of The Ribby, a plant-based version of the classic American BBQ rib sandwich. This new offering will be available at all 10 of the chain’s locations starting July 2nd. [perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”The Ribby will offer an unforgettable flavor experience”[/perfectpullquote] The Ribby features a housemade plant-based patty composed of shredded jackfruit, topped with a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, thinly sliced onions, and Grillo’s Pickles, known for their fresh taste and all-natural ingredients. “The BBQ rib sandwich holds a legendary place in fast food history and we wanted to honor that legacy with our plant-based take. With our sweet and smoky housemade BBQ and the best pickles in the world, Grillo’s, we believe …

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McDonald’s Trials Vegan Ice Cream in the UK

June 13, 2024

McDonald’s has announced it is trialling a new “deliciously smooth and creamy” vegan ice cream in the UK, available in two flavours — Choco and Strawberry. Called the Vegan Scoop, the ice cream costs £1.59 and is served in a tub like a McFlurry. It has been certified as vegan by The Vegetarian Society, though McDonald’s warns that it may not be suitable for those with milk allergies as it is made in a facility that handles dairy. Initially, the ice cream will only be available at 52 locations in the North West of England, including several restaurants in Manchester and Stockport. The trial will run until September 3, and if successful, the Vegan Scoop may launch UK-wide next year. McDonald’s is also trialling another …

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Global Fast Food Chain German Doner Kebab Launches Plant-Based Options in Over 140 Locations

May 24, 2024May 23, 2024

German Doner Kebab (GDK), one of the fastest-growing restaurant groups in the UK, with over 150 restaurants across the UK, mainland Europe, and the Middle East, and expanding in the USA, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Ireland, has launched eight plant-based options based on Nestlé-owned Garden Gourmet’s Vegan Pulled Fillet. Known for its distinctive doner kebab waffle bread, GDK describes the new plant-based offerings as a milestone move. The renamed ‘OV Kebab’ is a newly developed dish featuring the Garden Gourmet meat alternative, served on toasted waffle bread and served with fresh lettuce, red cabbage, sliced onions, tomatoes, and GDK’s three signature sauces – yogurt, garlic, and spicy. The Glasgow-based brand states that this widespread offering “follows the rise in demand for plant-based products in the …

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PLNT Burger Reintroduces Mind Blown Plant-Based Crab Cake Sandwich at All Locations

May 20, 2024May 20, 2024

Mind Blown by The Plant Based Seafood Co. and PLNT Burger have announced the introduction of ‘The Happy Crabby’ Sandwich ahead of World Ocean Month, bringing the plant-based crab cake back to PLNT Burger menus following its limited-time success last year in the DMV area. Starting today, the ‘Happy Crabby’ Sandwich will be available at all PLNT Burger locations across New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. The sandwich features Mind Blown’s Maryland-Style Plant-Based Crab Cakes, which offer 11 grams of protein and contain a blend of wheat protein, pea protein, natural vegan crab flavor, and spices, with the aim of replicating the taste and texture of traditional crab cakes. Jonah Goldman, co-founder and CMO of PLNT Burger described the new sandwich: “We …

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McDonald's Deutschland launches Famous McPlant Burger

McDonald’s Germany Launches Beyond McPlant Menu Curated by Rock Stars Bill & Tom Kaulitz

May 8, 2024

The “Famous Order” menu, long established in the United States, is now being introduced at McDonald’s Germany. The internationally known musicians, twins Bill (husband of Heidi Klum) and Tom Kaulitz of the rock band Tokio Hotel, are crafting unique McPlant menus for this rollout. The McPlant burger patty and McPlant nuggets are produced by Beyond Meat, and currently are not available in the USA, as far as we understand. From today May 8, Bill and Tom Kaulitz will feature their personalized menus at McDonald’s Germany. They join the ranks of global icons such as Travis Scott, Mariah Carey, and BTS, who have previously curated their own “Famous Order” selections in the USA. The twins have curated the menus, including their distinct burger variations. Bill’s signature …

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Odd Burger Corporation-Odd Burger Set to Open Record Number of locations

Famous Burger by Odd Burger (CNW Group/Odd Burger Corporation)

Odd Burger Announces Opening of 3 New Canadian Restaurants Bringing Total to 16 Locations

May 3, 2024

Vegan fast food chain Odd Burger reveals it is poised to enhance its market presence with the upcoming launch of three new restaurant locations within the next month. Additionally, the company announces it has signed a consulting agreement with Ahimsa Foundation, one of the most prominent investors in the vegan industry, notably including a recent investment of USD $16 Million in JUST Egg. As part of the consulting agreement, Odd Burger will issue Ahimsa Foundation 1,500,000 stock options at a price of $0.15. This latest expansion marks the largest number of openings the company has achieved in a single month, elevating the total to 16 operational sites. The initial opening will take place at 336A Mayfield Common Northwest in Edmonton, anticipated around May 11th, representing …

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Isabella Aldridge. Image supplied.

Neat: “We Aim to Make Neat a Globally Recognized Name Synonymous With Quality, Convenience, and Innovation in Plant-Based Dining”

March 11, 2024

Plant-based fast food chain Neat Burger has recently announced a rebrand, dropping “Burger” from its name to become simply Neat. The change heralds a new era for the brand, which will now shift its focus towards fresher, healthier dishes in line with evolving consumer demands. Launched in 2019, Neat has four locations in London along with international locations in Milan and New York City. Following the opening of the NYC restaurant last year, Neat reported that sales had beaten expectations, and the company subsequently raised $18 million in Series B funding. Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton is a long-time backer, and the chain has also previously received investment from Leonardo DiCaprio. Isabella Aldridge, Head of Brand & Marketing at Neat, told us more about the …

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Burger King Germany Makes Plant-Based Meals Cheaper Than Meat

March 5, 2024

Burger King Germany has reduced the price of all plant-based meals by 10 cents, making them cheaper than the chain’s meat-based options. The change is part of a “Plant-based for Everyone” campaign, which aims to encourage consumers to try meat-free food and emphasise the variety of flavours on offer. Burger King says it has received very positive feedback for its plant-based range and is seeing increased demand. The chain will also be introducing a new flower-shaped patty for its plant-based beef-style burgers, developed in collaboration with The Vegetarian Butcher. This will allow for easy visual differentiation between plant-based and conventional beef options. It comes after Burger King developed a new breading with parsley sprinkles to clearly distinguish its plant-based chicken patties and nuggets from meat. …

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Smashburger Adds jack & annie’s Jackfruit Burgers at All US Locations, Serves Them in Non Vegan Buns

February 16, 2024

Smashburger, a burger chain operating corporate and franchise locations in 9 countries, has partnered with fellow Colorado brand jack and annie’s to offer a jackfruit burger at all US restaurants. Following the success and positive feedback from consumers during a limited-time menu test last summer at select Smashburger locations in Colorado, New York, New Jersey and Chicago, the chain decided to offer the plant-based burger as a permanent menu item in all branches. “As plant-based alternatives become more common on menus across the industry, it was natural to expand our menu,” said Eric Marcoux, Chief Restaurant Support Officer at Smashburger. “When we discovered jack & annie’s, we knew we were in the right place with our shared Colorado connections and our shared food philosophy of …

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Neat Burger Announces Rebrand to “Neat” with New Look and Focus on Fresh, Healthy Ingredients

February 13, 2024

Plant-based fast food concept Neat Burger has announced that it will rebrand to Neat, rolling out a new menu featuring “brighter, healthier and fresher” ingredients. The rebrand is a response to customer feedback and will feature a new look and feel at physical locations, along with the removal of self-service tablets in favor of more interactive customer service. In terms of menu offerings, the change will cater to growing consumer preferences for natural, whole food plant-based meals. [perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”As we adapt to consumer requests shifting to an increase in healthier options, we look forward to welcoming a new audience”[/perfectpullquote] The new concept was soft-launched at Neat Victoria and Neat Soho yesterday, February 12, and will officially open at these …

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©KFC

KFC Could Be Set to Open a Vegetarian Location in India’s Holy City of Ayodhya

February 12, 2024

Officials in the Indian city of Ayodhya have said they are prepared to grant KFC permission to open a fully vegetarian location. Ayodhya is considered a holy city, with ties to religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. Consequently, the sale of meat and alcohol is banned within the city’s Panch Kosi Parikrama (a 15-kilometre pilgrimage route), in line with religious beliefs. This means that KFC has been prevented from opening a location in the area to date. However, tourism is on the increase in Ayodhya following the opening of the new Ram Mandir temple last month. As a result, officials are welcoming major fast food chains into the city — as long as they serve fully vegetarian menus. Discussions with several chains are reportedly underway, …

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New Zealand Franchise of Vegan Fast Food Chain Lord of the Fries Goes on the Market for $1.2M

February 8, 2024

Bruce Craig, who owns the New Zealand master franchise rights for Australia-based vegan fast food chain Lord of the Fries, has put the business on the market for $1.2 million. Craig bought the rights in 2016, and has since helped the franchise grow to six stores across New Zealand — two in Auckland and one each in Wellington, Christchurch, Botany, and Hamilton. The chain was turning over $3.5 million before the pandemic, but the lockdowns and ensuing move to working from home have reduced sales. However, business is said to be improving as more workers return to the office. Lord of the Fries has 25 employees across its New Zealand stores. Craig and his wife are now looking to sell the business as they are …

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On The Green Side clean label chicken alternatives

ProVeg South Africa Report Shows Significant Rise in Plant-Based Options in Fast Food Industry

January 29, 2024

ProVeg South Africa has released a report on the prevalence of plant-based options in South Africa’s fast-food and restaurant industry, offering in-depth analysis and ranking of major chains based on their plant-based offerings, advertising strategies, product naming, and more. [perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”The report once again highlights significant opportunities available in the plant-based space”[/perfectpullquote] According to the report, fast-food consumption in South Africa has surged by 33.1% since 2019, spurred by challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and load-shedding crises in the country, which caused many people to turn to fast food due to power outages in their homes. In response to growing health, ethical, and environmental concerns, plant-based main dishes have seen a 16.67% increase in menus, though they still constitute …

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UK Chinese Food Chain Chopstix Noodle Bar Launches No Beef’ Teriyaki Dish in 100 Locations

January 12, 2024

Chopstix Noodle Bar, operating over 100 locations throughout the UK, has launched a plant-based Teriyaki Beef dish created by Miami Foods called ‘All Leaf, No Beef’ Teriyaki to its stores across the nation in celebration of Veganuary. The noodle bar first launched 20 years ago in the famous Camden Market and now operates locations in almost every major town and city in the UK. The chain launched its first vegan dish — Green Thai Tofu Curry — in 2019, and has since added further vegan options including Pumpkin Katsu Curry and Salt ‘N’ Pepper Potatoes. The new Teriyaki dish entails plant-based ‘beef’ strips with peppers, onions, and Chopstix’ secret recipe sweet Teriyaki sauce. The producer of the vegan beef is London’s Miami Foods, which offers …

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