Fast-food chains are finally taking vegan food seriously

The first week of 2022, when Starbucks scrapped its non-dairy milk charge, brought a lot more vegan fast-food options to the UK.

The big chains are finally taking vegan food seriously, even if some of the new product launches have been timed to coincide with the start of veganuary, as they race to get a slice of a sector that could be worth more than $160 billion globally within the next ten years.

Fast-food chains in the US are rolling out more vegan dishes. While other chains like Burger King, Carl's Jr., and McDonald's are scrambling to partner with fake meat brands like Beyond Meat, the Mexican restaurant chain has launched its plant-based chorizo nationwide.

These products could be a big win for the fast-food giants. The plant-based foods market was worth $29.4 billion in 2020 and could grow to $162 billion in 2030.
The sector doesn't have a problem with the fact that only a small portion of the population is vegan. It's not just vegan driving the trend.

Non- vegans are trying to cut down on their meat, fish, and dairy intake in order to fuel the plant-based boom.

Fast-food chains have reported huge success with their vegan products. When it was released in the UK, the vegan burger sold at six times the average rate for new product launches. McDonald's said that early UK sales data for the McPlant was "very encouraging," while Eat Just said its "everything plant-based sandwich" is the top-selling hot menu item.

"Our plant-based products have proved to be an important sales driver in the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands and continue to grow as we launch new products," said José Cil, CEO of Restaurant Brands International, which owns Burger King, Tim Hortons, and Popeyes.

The growing number of vegan and flexitarians is creating a market for plant-based meat replicas, as technological innovations mean new plant-based products are becoming available.

McDonald's UK charges the same for both its McPlant and its Quarter Pounder with Cheese, and prices at Subway are the same for both its roast chicken and plant-based options.

Most fast-food chains in the UK now offer at least one vegan dish. Some chains are leading the way by giving vegan diners a choice.

Subway has four vegan sandwiches on its menu, plus two limited-release subs. One of the new sandwiches is a plant-based alternative to chicken tikka, and it has been able to get more creative because it has the basics covered. Starbucks has a plant-based sandwich in the UK.

Subway UK has a plant-based alternative to chicken.

Grace Dean is an Insider.

It's a far cry from the limp salads and half-hearted bean burgers that have been left with vegan people for years.

The factors are creating a loop. As a result of the increased demand for plant-based food, restaurants are offering more vegan options at lower prices, which in turn encourages more people to try out the meals.

Expect to see more and more plant-based dishes on the menu. Expect them to get cheaper and better.