The 10 Worst Fast-Food Chains for Vegan Food (USA)

From vegnews.com

From Krispy Kreme to KFC, these US chains have the thinnest vegan offerings right now

Finding vegan options at the big chains isn’t as hard as it used to be. Starbucks is leaning into oat milk for its fall menu, and it stopped charging extra for dairy-free milk. The Impossible Whopper is holding steady at Burger King, and bean-forward burritos and bowls at Taco Bell and Chipotle make grab-and-go possible without a scavenger hunt.

Yet for all the progress, many American chains still lag behind their counterparts abroad, where plant-based mains have turned from novelty into standard fare. Burger King UK publicly set a goal to make half of its menu meat-free by 2030, McDonald’s keeps the McPlant in regular rotation in the UK and Ireland, and KFC UK sells a standing vegan burger—none of which have a true US equivalent.

McDonald’s UK

Even as sales fluctuate, plant-based eating is mainstream. The Good Food Institute and Plant Based Foods Association estimate US retail sales of plant-based foods at more than $8 billion in 2023, with 60 percent of households buying into the category and plant-based milk nearing 15 percent of the milk aisle. Gallup’s 2023 polling puts identification at four percent vegetarian and one percent vegan—small shares, but persistent, and large enough to matter at a drive-thru window. Yet major chains still lag way, way, behind.

Why Europe feels further along

The contrast is not ideological so much as operational: the European market has treated plant-based as a menu pillar rather than a customization. Burger King UK writes of its “commitment to having a 50 percent meat-free menu by 2030,” and McDonald’s made the McPlant a permanent fixture in the UK and Ireland after US pilots fizzled. KFC UK’s vegan burger sits alongside chicken buckets, proving that a fast-food kitchen can carry a dedicated vegan build and keep it simple for staff and guests.

Taco Bell

For US diners, the practical playbook remains the same. Start where the options are explicit—Starbucks for an oat milk latte; Burger King for an Impossible Whopper (hold the mayo); Taco Bell for vegan builds like the Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme (certified by the American Vegetarian Association); and Chipotle for Sofritas bowls. Everywhere else, scan the allergen statements and be ready for heavy modifications.

The worst chains for vegan food

Below are the worst chains for vegan food right now—measured by whether a customer can order a substantive, inherently vegan entrée without major modifications.

Arby’s

1Arby’s

The brand’s slogan says the quiet part out loud. Arby’s offers no plant-based meat entrée in the US, and even “accidentally vegan” options come with caveats about shared fryers. Dessert turnovers and a garden salad exist, but for anyone seeking a proper sandwich, it is a hard pass.

2KFC (US)

KFC briefly tested Beyond Fried Chicken and drew headlines, but the item is not a permanent national fixture. Today, a vegan order amounts to fries, corn, or a side salad. Across the Atlantic, however, KFC UK keeps a dedicated Vegan Burger on menu, a reminder that comparable options could exist here but do not.  

Domino’s

3Domino’s (US)

Domino’s publishes a vegan- and vegetarian-ordering page in the US, but the advice boils down to skipping the cheese entirely. There is no national vegan cheese or plant-based meat topping, and sauces and crusts vary by region. Ask for a pizza without cheese and you are technically accommodated—but that is a modification, not an offering. However, demand for dairy-free cheese is growing, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals recently purchased stock in Domino’s to encourage the fast-food giant to roll out vegan cheese nationwide.

4Pizza Hut (US)

Pizza Hut partnered with Beyond Meat for a limited run years ago, but the chain still does not carry vegan cheese nationally. Its own site suggests ordering vegetable pies without cheese for a “vegan-friendly option.” By contrast, Pizza Hut UK lists Violife vegan cheese and a clearly labelled vegan range.

5Krispy Kreme (US)

For a morning run, doughnuts remain off-limits. The company’s US nutrition page is explicit: “The only animal by-products used in our doughnuts are eggs (whites and yolks) and dairy products (including milk, butter, yogurt, whey, non-fat milk and non-fat whey).” Until the US menu adds a vegan ring (Krispy Kreme has offered vegan items in select international markets), coffee is the only reliable order.

6Chick-fil-A

There is no vegan entrée. The Southwest Veggie Wrap is topped with dairy cheese, and the cauliflower sandwich includes egg and milk in the breading. Waffle fries or a kale salad remain the default vegan pick. And while the limited-time meatless cauliflower sandwich was promising, it was not suitable for vegans as it contained dairy. Even so, the sandwich disappeared after its limited run. 

7In-N-Out

The cult burger chain still treats “veggie burger” as code for a bun filled with condiments and produce. The fries are cooked in vegetable oil, but there is no vegan patty, no dairy-free spreads, and no formal vegan entrée. 

8Sonic Drive-In

Sonic’s own allergen guide is blunt about limitations and cross-contact (and it offers no vegan main). As the document states, “we cannot eliminate the risk of cross-contact or guarantee that any item is free of any allergen and no items are certified gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan.” Tots and fries exist, but that’s about it.

Dunkin’

9Dunkin’ (US)

While it may have dropped “donuts” from its name, they’re still the chain’s biggest draw. And if you’re looking for vegan doughnut options, Dunkin’ is not the place to visit in the US, anyway. Head to the UK for a range of options. In the US, now that the Beyond breakfast sandwich has been phased out, you’ll have to stick with bagels and English muffins, which any doughnut lover knows is no substitute for a donut.

10Five Guys

This burger classic still has no vegan entrée. The standard bun is made with milk and eggs, which means even the “veggie sandwich” default is not vegan unless you turn it into a lettuce-wrapped pile of grilled vegetables—an accommodation, not a menu item. Fries are cooked in peanut oil and can round out a snack, but there is no inherently vegan main on offer.

https://vegnews.com/worst-fast-food-chains-for-vegan-food

The 10 Biggest VegNews Stories of 2023: From Kraft and Taco Bell to Reese’s

From vegnews.com

What a year it’s been. Here are our top stories for 2023

It’s been a big year in vegan media, and honestly, even that feels like an understatement. 2023 has seen so much growth and progress across the board. We’ve had inspiring celebrity stories (did you know Cher eats like a Blue Zoner?), new ground-breaking research (like this fascinating study into identical twins), and plenty of heart-warming content (yes, cows really do have best friends. No we’re not crying—it’s the onions).

It’s been incredibly difficult to pick the top 10 stories of 2023, but somehow, we’ve managed it. Taco Bell and Kraft really pulled it out of the bag this year (anyone else can’t stop eating blue box vegan mac and cheese?), and Hershey’s, too (thank you, vegan chocolate Gods). But while there have been many high points, we’ve also had to say goodbye to one animal icon (RIP, Esther) and we saw Miyoko Schinner part ways with her eponymous vegan cheese brand.

But overall, we have to say, in the vegan world, the vibes were good. Here are just a handful of our top stories from the year. Cheers to 2024, we can’t wait to find out all the great news we’ll be sharing with you come the new year. 

VegNews’ Top 10 Stories of 2023

The Hershey Company

1Hershey’s Launches Vegan Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Back in the spring, Hershey’s made many chocolate lover’s dreams come true when it launched the first-ever vegan version of its iconic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. And that wasn’t all, it also launched Hershey’s Plant-Based Extra Creamy with Almonds and Sea Salt. 

“Our purpose is to create more moments of goodness for consumers,” a spokesperson for The Hershey Company told VegNews at the time of the launch. “We are excited to make those moments more accessible now for chocolate lovers looking for plant-based alternatives.”
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Taco Bell

2Taco Bell Launches First Vegan Crunchwrap

The Crunchwrap is one of Taco Bell’s most-loved menu items, but because it’s usually made with animal products, it has long been off the menu for vegan customers. But this year, that all changed. The popular fast food chain started trialling its first-ever Vegan Crunchwrap, complete with plant-based beef, dairy-free sour cream, and nacho sauce, in select locations back in June. 

“We never want our vegan and vegetarian fans to feel like they have to compromise at Taco Bell. The goal while in product development was to create a vegan alternative that was just as crave-able as the original, while also being equally convenient as a ready-to-order menu item with no modifications needed,” Missy Schaaphok, Taco Bell’s Director of Global Nutrition & Sustainability, told VegNews.
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The Kraft Heinz Not Company

3Kraft’s First Vegan Cheese Singles Roll Out Nationwide

Back in the summer, Kraft took everyone’s vegan cheeseburgers to the next level when it launched its new vegan Kraft NotCheese slices in collaboration with Chile-based The Not Company nationwide. The slices are available in Cheddar, American, and Provolone flavours.
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Taco Bell

4Taco Bell Launches Vegan Nacho Fries

Yep, it’s another entry from Taco Bell, because this year, the TexMex chain stepped up its vegan game. In September, it announced it was debuting Vegan Nacho Sauce, meaning that plant-based diners could order Taco Bell’s Nacho Fries without dairy for the first time.

“This sauce, born from the success of our Vegan Crunchwrap, represents Taco Bell’s commitment to providing delicious, crave-able food for a variety of lifestyles—whether you’re vegan, flexitarian, or want to try something new, there’s a place for you at our table,” Liz Matthews, Global Chief Food Innovation Officer at Taco Bell, said in a statement.
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Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Support & Feed

5Billie Eilish and Finneas Are Opening a Vegan Restaurant in Los Angeles

Not content with topping the charts, music duo Billie Eilish and Finneas also decided that 2023 was the year when they would enter the restaurant business. The siblings partnered with vegan restauranteur Nic Adler to open a new plant-based Italian restaurant in Los Angeles, called Argento. “I want plant-based food to be more accessible,” Eilish said at the time.
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The Kraft Heinz Not Company

6Kraft’s Iconic Blue Box Mac and Cheese Finally Ditches the Dairy

Kraft was the brand that kept on giving this year. After launching its vegan cheese slices in the summer, in November the food giant launched a dairy-free version of its iconic blue box Macaroni & Cheese. Again, it’s made with vegan cheese from The Not Company. 

“By leveraging the strengths of both companies, we’re offering the creamy and comforting experience Kraft Mac & Cheese fans have loved for over 85 years—without the dairy,” Lucho Lopez-May, CEO of The Kraft Heinz Not Company, said.
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Miyoko’s Creamery

7Miyoko Schinner Removed as CEO From $260 Million Vegan Cheese Brand

In February, Miyoko’s Creamery announced it was parting ways with founder and CEO Miyoko Schinner, shocking fans of the brand, as well as Schinner herself, who wasn’t aware the news was about to be publicly announced. In October, however, the entrepreneur and chef reassured VegNews that she was doing just fine. In fact, she is better than fine. “This may come as a surprise, but I’m actually doing fantastically,” she said. “I mean that in a very, very genuine, real way. Had you asked me that three months ago, I wouldn’t have been able to say the same.”
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Esther the Wonder Pig

8Beloved Farm Animal Ambassador Esther the Wonder Pig Dies

Also in October, the sad news came that Esther the Wonder Pig, a beloved ambassador for farm animals all over the world, had died. She inspired several books, accumulated nearly 580,000 followers on Instagram, and even motivated her dads, Steve Jenkins and Derek Walters, to open a farm animal sanctuary.

“Thank you Esther for showing millions how beautiful, sweet, and funny pigs really are, and we thank you, Steve and Derek, for letting us all follow along,” a spokesperson for PETA wrote on Esther’s Instagram page after her death was announced. “Love her forever, the pig who changed the world for pigs.”
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Impossible Foods

9Eat an Impossible Burger—It’s Good for Your Heart, Says AHA

In November, the American Heart Association (AHA) confirmed that yes, plant-based meat can be beneficial for heart health. The organization granted Impossible Foods’ Beef Lite with its Heart-Check Food Certification. In May, Beyond Meat’s Beyond Steak was awarded the same certification. “For nearly 100 years, the American Heart Association has been helping people live longer, healthier lives,” Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown said in a statement in May. “As part of that legacy, the Heart-Check Mark has become a gold standard in empowering consumers to make informed health decisions.”
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Netflix

10The ‘Chicken Run’ Sequel Is About to Change Everyone’s Mind About Nuggets

And finally, in December, we covered the news that experts are expecting the sequel to the biggest stop motion animation film of all time to inspire a whole new generation of vegans. Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget follows the same gang of chickens from the original Chicken Run as they attempt to break into a factory farm to save their fellow birds from becoming nuggets. 

“We want the film to be engaging and entertaining and a great ride, mostly,” Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget director Sam Fell said, per the Guardian. “But yes, if you come away and you think a little bit more like a chicken by the end of it, then that’s not a bad thing.”
READ MORE

https://vegnews.com/2023/12/biggest-vegnews-stories-2023

Beyond Meat’s Vegan Steak Comes to 5,000 Stores. Here Is Where to Find It.

From vegnews.com

CEO Ethan Brown thinks Beyond Meat’s new vegan steak slices are “one of our best products to date.” You can now find them at 5,000 stores, including Kroger and Walmart

California-based company Beyond Meat just released its newest product: vegan steak. The new Beyond Steak plant-based seared tips are available at more than 5,000 stores, including Walmart and Kroger.

Beyond Meat

While Beyond Meat is best known for its plant-based Beyond Burger—a replacement for ground beef—the brand’s new product will bring it into a new category of whole-cut meat, advancing its mission of disrupting the global $1.4 trillion meat industry with plant-based alternatives. 

The new Beyond Steak is part of the company’s mission to rapidly innovate plant-based products to help consumers make choices that are better for animals, the environment, and their health. 

“Beyond Steak is a highly-anticipated expansion of our popular beef platform and we’re proud to introduce this innovative product to consumers nationwide,” Dariush Ajami, Chief Innovation Officer at Beyond Meat, said in a statement. “Beyond Steak delivers the taste and texture of sliced steak in a way that is better for both people and the planet.”

Beyond Meat’s vegan steak 

News of a vegan steak from Beyond Meat first came from CEO Ethan Brown, who spoke about the product during The Wall Street Journal’s Global Food Forum in June. “It’s probably one of our best products to date,” he said at the time.

The new vegan steak is just one of the new plant-based innovations from Beyond Meat as vegan Popcorn Chicken has also been spotted in stores. Further details about that launch are currently under wraps. 

Taco Bell

Taco Bell fans will be delighted to know that Beyond Meat created a bespoke vegan carne asada steak in partnership with the Mexican-inspired chain. 

On October 13, Taco Bell began testing the Beyond Carne Asada at approximately 50 locations in the Dayton, OH area. Available while supplies last, the vegan steak is marinated with Taco Bell’s signature spices and can be ordered in place of animal-derived meat in any menu item at no extra cost.

Beyond Meat builds a global plant-based protein category

Despite a turbulent year in terms of its stock prices, Beyond Meat is holding steadfast to its mission of making animal-based meat obsolete with new innovations, such as its forthcoming vegan steak. Brown founded Beyond Meat in 2009 and the brand has already revolutionized the plant-based beef, pork, and chicken categories with its analogous Beyond Burger, Beyond Sausage, and its new Beyond Chicken Tenders. 

On the foodservice side of Beyond Meat’s business, the brand has many large partnerships under its belt. It has been working with Yum! Brands to deliver plant-based options to the fast-food corporation’s properties, which, in addition to Taco Bell, include Pizza Hut and KFC. 

Panda Express

Panda Express worked with the vegan brand to develop a plant-based take on its popular orange chicken entrée which it tested in several markets. Last month, Panda Express added the Beyond the Original Orange Chicken to its more than 2,300 locations nationwide for a limited time. 

Beyond Meat is also expanding the consumer goods side of its business. In 2021, the vegan company partnered with PepsiCo in 2021 to create Planet Partnership, a venture that will result in new products that will leverage Pepsi’s extensive marketing and production networks while Pepsi can capitalize on the growth of the plant-based industry.

Beyond Meat

In March, Beyond Meat and Pepsi released the first product under this partnership: Beyond Jerky. This is the brand’s first venture into the snack aisle. With its Beyond Jerky on store shelves nationwide, the brand is now exploring sliced vegan steak as the next part of its journey in creating a multi-billion-dollar plant protein category that can truly disrupt animal agriculture with more sustainable, cruelty-free products. 

Ethan Brown is building a $40 billion vegan meat company

During the WSJ event, Brown was pressed about whether the plant-based meat “bubble” has popped—or if the category is losing momentum. “The reasons to do what we’re doing and the reason for the consumer to engage with what we’re doing strengthens every day,” Brown said.

“There’s the pandemic. There’s recession. There’s gas prices. There’s all this noise out there, but what continues to strengthen is the need to do what we’re doing,” he said. “We’re getting better at that every year and with reason to do it in terms of climate, human health, the overall environment (land, energy, and water), and animal welfare … all those reasons continue to be present and increase in importance.”

Beyond Meat

During the event, he explained that disruptions to major incumbents, such as the global meat industry, do not happen in a linear fashion and he expects to go through several downturns while keeping his eye on the mission at large.

“You’re going to have disturbances and you’re going to have distractions as you build a new category,” Brown said, explaining that similar trajectories have happened when technologies such as solar power or lithium ion batteries first emerged.

“You go for a long run. You take a plateau. You go for another long run and then all of a sudden it’s mainstream,” Brown said. “That’s what’s happening in [the plant-based] sector.”

Brown often references the replacement of landlines by cell phones as a way to contextualize what he sees will happen in the food space, with new technologies (plant-based meat) replacing outdated models (animal agriculture).

“What I see is an increasing global opportunity into a $1.4 trillion market,” Brown said, touching on all of the major partnerships—from McDonald’s to Pepsi—that Beyond Meat is currently involved in as an indicator of the scale of disruption that is planned.

“All of these things are about building the next global protein company. And my vision for this is a $40 billion company, not a $4 billion company. So I don’t think in quarterly terms. I don’t think in annual terms. I think in a longer-term perspective we will deliver on this. I am absolutely certain of that.” 

https://vegnews.com/2022/10/Ethan-Brown-beyond-meat-vegan-steak