Whether nursing a hangover, you’re in a hurry, or you desire your favorite drive-through, sometimes a greasy meal is necessary. And yes, we all strive to live healthy lifestyles, but a plant-based diet doesn’t have to be just nuts and berries.
But don’t worry: there’s no harm in the burgers we’ll bite into. Here are ten conventional fast food joints with vegan and vegetarian options.
1. KFC
Beyond Fried Chicken Fried chicken is the ultimate comfort food. Thanks to KFC, we can now fill that craving sans the chicken.
The global brand has partnered with Beyond Meat in the US to produce a vegan version of its iconic fried chicken. After testing the product in Atlanta, Nashville, and Charlotte, Beyond Fried Chicken finally landed at over 50 locations in Southern California.
Hopefully, the love will spread across the rest of the US, and it appears it will. Plant-based meat sales will reach 1 billion dollars in 2020, mostly due to curious meat eaters and plant-forward munchers, much to vegans and flexitarians’ delight.
Outside of the US, KFC has teamed up with Quorn in the UK and Lightlife in Canada. So, friends across the globe can partake. In the olden days of BC, Before COVID, we’d say this news was finger-lickin’ good, but please, if you do that, wash your hands for two “Happy Birthdays” beforehand.
2. Starbucks
Our favorite place to caffeinate serves oat milk across Canadian cafes this fall. They’ve also rolled out Oatly! Oat milk beverages to over 1,300 Midwestern cafes in the US.
While the rest of us wait for oat milk to arrive at our local Starbucks, they have coconut, soy, and almond milk on their standard menu. It just might cost you a little extra.
But the most exciting news for those of you feeling hungry on your morning coffee run: Starbucks is testing a plant-based breakfast sandwich and quiche-like bite at a location in the Seattle area, AKA the Starbucks motherland.
The sandwich retails for five dollars and 45 cents and is made with a mung bean-based egg, dairy-free cheese, and a plant-based meat patty. Our mouths are watering in anticipation of a nationwide launch.
3. Dunkin
Dunkin’ Donuts has recently rebranded to just Dunkin’, and a few other things are changing for Dunkin’ fans, but only for the better.
Word on the street is that vegan donuts are in development, and in the meantime, while you wait for those donuts, the company is offering Beyond breakfast sandwiches, which, without the cheese and egg, are entirely vegan.
And if that’s not enough, they now offer almond and oat milk in their delicious coffee. So fuel up because, as the slogan goes, America runs on Dunkin’.
4. Shake Shack
The Shroomburger Shake it off, friends. Although not the company’s first foray into the vegetarian space for those familiar with the ‘Shroom Burger, they’ve never had a vegan option until now.
New York City locations have an in-house vegan burger dubbed the Veggie Shack. The burger is a throwback to old veggie burgers made from brown rice, black beans, and beets rather than a meatier substitute.
However, the company is in talks with Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods for a wider rollout of more vegan options at its 300-plus locations worldwide. For now, those in the Big Apple get to take a bite out of this tasty burger.
5. Pret A Manger
Vegan croissant, anyone? This popular UK establishment now has a few offshoot locations specifically dedicated to vegetarian foods named Veggie Pret.
The most exciting news: These locations now have a completely vegan bakery counter. But don’t worry if you can’t get to one of the Veggie Pret locations. There are a few vegan options at their regular stores. So it’s easy to grab a sandwich and go. Who’s hungry? I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to manage some veg.
6. Taco Bell
The Mexican-inspired fast food chain is adding vegan meat nationwide, set to arrive in 2021. The company has tested Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, but they have not decided on who to go with yet.
Their rival, Del Taco, has already successfully added Beyond Meat to its menu at all 508 locations nationwide. For now, customers at Taco Bell can also order menu items in its Veggie Mode at their kiosks, an easy way to make their regular meals plant-based. Way to think outside the bun, Taco Bell.
7. Burger King
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry aren’t the sole royals in the United States. Burger King has done the impossible in the US by adding a Whopper and breakfast Croissan ‘swich made from meat from Impossible Foods. The company is also launching vegan nuggets in Germany. So, grab that tiara, hit the drive-through, and be on your way.
8. White Castle
While on the subject of royals, White Castle introduced the Impossible Slider way back in 2018. They have recently made them a permanent staple at all their locations.
They are also the first major fast-food chain to offer vegan cheese, rolling out at select locations.
This isn’t just a meal that’s fit for a king or queen; we’re sure that if Harold and Kumar were to head to White Castle in 2020, they’d opt for the vegan variety.
9. Blaze Pizza
Fast, casual, high-temp pizza establishments have popped up everywhere for several years. Blaze is unique for many reasons, including being backed by NBA champ LeBron James.
Another reason why they’re a winner? The pizza chain has added meat-free spicy chorizo at all of its restaurants in America.
Besides that, Blaze also offers around 20 veggie toppings and ingredients, Daiya dairy-free cheese, and all of their red sauces are vegan. The result? Fire.
10. McDonald’s
The iconic fast food chain is late to the party, but better late than never. Mickey D’s has plans to roll out a vegan burger in the US soon.
And just in, Hong Kong and Macau have just rolled out a vegetarian menu centered around OmniPork Luncheon, a spam alternative. We’re lovin’ it. So, what do you think? Do you have a favorite plant-based fast food? Let us know in the comments below. Until next time, live kindly.
