ProVeg South Africa has released the third annual edition of the Plant-Based-Friendly Fast-Food Franchise Ranking report, coinciding with World Vegan Month, to celebrate the global rise of veganism and, particularly in the country.

© ProVeg South Africa

South Africa’s Fast-Food Chains Expand Plant-Based Menus, Simply Asia Tops ProVeg’s Rankings

ProVeg South Africa has released the third annual edition of the Plant-Based-Friendly Fast-Food Franchise Ranking report, coinciding with World Vegan Month, to celebrate the rise of veganism in the country and globally. The new analysis shows ongoing interest and growth in plant-based offerings among South African quick-service restaurants (QSRs). A key finding is that plant-based menu options, including mains, sides, and desserts, have expanded compared to the previous two years, reflecting gastronomic innovations and growing consumer demand. The surge in plant-based options in food chains aligns with the overall growth of the national fast-food industry, which has seen a 41% increase in turnover from takeaways and fast-food outlets compared to 2019. According to the non-profit, QSRs are feeding more households country-wide than ever before, and more …

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BOSH & Grubby CEO, as the 2 brands extend partnership

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GRUBBY Extends Collaboration With BOSH! After Selling Over 100,000 Meal Kits

UK plant-based meal kit service GRUBBY has extended its partnership with vegan chef duo BOSH! following the success of their co-branded products. Over 100,000 GRUBBY x BOSH! meal kits have been sold since the collaboration began 18 months ago, with some varieties completely selling out. Now, the brands have launched ten new dishes, including Gochujang Tofu Mac & Cheese, Crispy Chilli Plant-Based Beef, Peanut Butter & Tenderstem Udon Soup, and Zingy Green Enchiladas with Avocado. The new recipes are already available on GRUBBY’s menu, with at least two to be featured each week. The range will be expanded throughout 2025 and beyond. “GRUBBY’s ambition to cook with more plants aligns perfectly with the BOSH! mission to put more plants on plates, and they stood out …

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Accor Group, the largest in Europe and the sixth worldwide emphasized the importance of plant-based eating to reduce the group's carbon footprint and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

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Europe’s Largest Hospitality Group, Accor Group, Expands Plant-Based Menus Across 5,500 Hotels, Aims for 50% Vegan by 2030

French multinational hospitality company Accor Group, the largest in Europe and the sixth worldwide, has highlighted the importance of plant-based eating to reduce the group’s carbon footprint and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. As part of its sustainability strategy, the group plans to offer plant-based options at all its hotels in the coming years, and it additionally targets having 50% of menu items plant-based by 2030, in line with the global “Good Food Feels Great” policy. The news was shared by Antonietta Varlese, Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Communication Accor Americas, who released a press release on social media, revealing that the company already offers plant-based options in 72% of its hotels in the Americas. “On World Vegan Day, celebrated today, we reflect on …

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Heura launches vegan chicken sandwich at Rodilla chain in Spain

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Heura Foods Launches Vegan Chicken Sandwich at 130+ Rodilla Restaurants Across Spain

Heura Foods and Spain’s Rodilla restaurant chain have joined forces to launch a new vegan chicken sandwich that will be available in 130 Rodilla outlets across Spain from 5 November. The sandwich is made with wholemeal bread, chickpea spread, vegan mayonnaise, Heura’s plant-based chicken, mustard, gherkins, and parsley. With this collaboration, Heura and Rodilla take another step forward in the transition towards a food model where sustainability and respect for animals are central, providing an inclusive option that adapts to the habits of an increasingly conscious society. In the words of Heura Foods CEO and co-founder Marc Coloma, this collaboration helps “accelerate the shift towards a healthier and more sustainable food system,” allowing vegans and non-vegans alike to enjoy a delicious alternative that contributes to …

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rebellyous spicy chicken

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Rebellyous Foods Launches Spicy Kickin’ Patty as Students Demand Bolder Plant-Based Flavors

Rebellyous Foods, a plant-based meat technology company, has introduced a new Spicy Kickin’ Patty designed for K-12 schools, restaurants, and foodservice providers. This spicy chicken patty alternative is an extension of the company’s plant-based chicken line, which includes nuggets, tenders, and patties. According to Symrise Insights, consumer demand for spicy flavor profiles in chicken sandwiches continues to grow, and restaurants are seeking to expand their menu options beyond classic items. Demand is particularly high among Gen Z, who seek bolder and spicier flavors, a trend noted by McCormick and Co., the company behind Frank’s Red Hot and Cholula. The new Spicy Kickin’ Patties are entirely plant-based and free from cholesterol, antibiotics, and hormones. They are designed to mirror the texture and taste of traditional chicken …

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Report ranks plant-based options at Canadian restaurant chains

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Report: Most Top Canadian Restaurant Chains Are Failing to Reduce Meat Consumption

A new report from World Animal Protection, titled Moving the Menu 2024, has found that most major Canadian restaurant chains are failing to offer adequate plant-based options. Additionally, none have set firm commitments to reduce meat consumption. Of the 23 chains ranked in the report, Chipotle came out on top with a B grade, based on its extensive plant-based options and policies promoting the benefits of plant-based eating. Some coffee chains, such as Starbucks and Tim Hortons, received a C but did not rank higher because they charge extra for plant-based milk. Fast food chains McDonald’s, Wendy’s, KFC, and Popeyes all received an F, the lowest possible grade. The report notes that while chains such as McDonald’s, A&W, and Tim Hortons have all trialed plant-based …

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Mike Tyson and Mr. Charlie's

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

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. 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 has carved out a niche in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector with its entirely plant-based menu. Mr. Charlie’s not only offers vegan alternatives to classic fast food …

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WB Burgers Asia, the Japanese master franchisee of the American burger chain Wayback Burgers, has opened a new multi-brand, plant-based restaurant called "Next Restaurant" in Omotesando, Tokyo.

© WB Burgers Asia

New Vegan Restaurant by Wayback Burgers Asia Launches in Tokyo with Diverse Menu and Expansion Plans

WB Burgers Asia, the Japanese master franchisee of the American burger chain Wayback Burgers, has opened a new multi-brand, vegan restaurant called “Next Restaurant” in Omotesando, Tokyo. The restaurant’s menu features a variety of plant-based and gluten-free dishes, including bento boxes such as the Next Foie Gras Kalbi Bento, Next Short Rib Bento, Next Curry Bento, Next Pork Ginger Bento, and Next Beef Bowl Bento. There are also vegan pasta options such as bolognese and carbonara and vegan pizzas and cheesesteaks. To complement the menu, the company created “Niseko & Smoothie,” a new brand highlighting fresh fruits and vegetables sourced from farms in Hokkaido. An “unconventional” concept The new vegan restaurant, described as unconventional (a ghost kitchen), operates as a pick-up and delivery establishment with …

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McPlant nuggets

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

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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A photo of a Odd Burger restaurant

© Odd Burger

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

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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Raisio Food Solutions' plant-based ready-to-use sauce with noodles on a white plate

© Raisio

Raisio Unveils New Plant-Based Offerings at SIAL 2024

Raisio, a Finnish food company with over eight decades of experience in health-focused, responsibly produced food, is set to showcase its latest plant-based innovations at SIAL 2024. Specializing in gluten-free oats and plant proteins, Raisio has earned a reputation in the oat industry and plant-based food sector as a provider of plant-based food solutions. Raisio launches shelf-stable plant-based Sauces for HoReCa At SIAL, Raisio will highlight its new Beanit® ready-to-use plant-based sauces, developed specifically for the B2B and HoReCa sectors. These sauces, made from fava beans and peas, offer a convenient solution for professional kitchens, as they are shelf-stable and can be used or heated with minimal preparation. The new products combine rich plant-based protein with flavorful sauces, designed to meet the growing demand for …

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Phil Thornborrow, QuornPro Director of Global Foodservice © QuornPro

New QuornPro Division to Provide Complete Menu Solutions for Food Service

QuornPro, the food service business unit for meat alternatives brand Quorn, has announced the launch of a new division. Called QuornPro Distribution Partners, the division will provide complete menu solutions for food service partners using a network of companies, creating opportunities for various emerging brands. The first collaboration is with free from meal solutions company Good it’s Gluten Free, which will make its products available for food service for the first time through QuornPro Distribution Partners. The divison’s first launch will be an allergen-free margherita pizza for schools, which has been co-developed by Good it’s Gluten Free and QuornPro’s culinary team. The product aims to cater to the 20% of children who are affected by food allergies, and features a crispy gluten-free base with sauce …

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Image courtesy of ProVeg

Netherlands: Supermarket Meat-Free Promotions Stagnate While Alt Meat Sales to Caterers Double

According to animal rights organisation Wakker Dier, the number of meat-free promotions available at Dutch supermarkets has barely increased for the third year in a row, remaining about the same on average. Additionally, there have been few reductions in meat promotions, with three available for every meat alternative offer. The organisation noted that there were discrepancies between retailers, with Aldi and Hoogvliet having reduced their meat-free promotions by 38% and 34% respectively. On the other hand, Jumbo has increased its vegetarian offers by 41%, and Spar saw the second-highest increase at 31%. Aldi runs 11 meat promotions for every meat-free offer, making it the worst-scoring supermarket in this area. Jumbo and Albert Heijn are tied in first place, with two meat promotions for every vegetarian …

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Veggie Grill by Next Level

@ Veggie Grill by Next Level

Next Level Burger Acquisition Inspires Veggie Grill’s Menu Revamp

Fast-casual chain Veggie Grill by Next Level, now operating under the ownership of Next Level Burger (NLB), is launching a new menu on August 14, marking the most significant update since its acquisition in January 2024.  The updated menu features five new burgers, two chik’n sandwiches, and a salad, all of which are existing favorites from NLB. This initiative is part of a larger strategy to standardize offerings across both brands, with a strong emphasis on health-conscious choices and organic produce—a shift Veggie Grill adopted following its acquisition. The new menu features a range of plant-based burgers, including the Signature Veggie Burger with a quinoa and mushroom patty, the SoCal Veggie Burger with tempeh bacon and special sauce, and the American ChzBurger, a classic option …

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Impossible Foods Impossible Quality Meats

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Impossible Foods Debuts First In-Person Foodservice Concept at XMarket in Chicago

Impossible Foods has announced the launch of its first foodservice industry concept, Impossible Quality Meats. The pop-up restaurant, located in the XMarket Food Hall in Uptown Chicago, will officially open on Tuesday, August 13, offering a range of plant-based dishes made from Impossible’s meat alternatives.  The Impossible Quality Meats menu will feature options like the Impossible Breakfast Sausage Sandwich, Impossible Asian Style Meatballs, and the Impossible Chicago Style Hot Dog, among others. For dessert, the pop-up will offer Oatly Soft Serve in flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, and a swirl of both. Peter McGuinness, president and CEO of Impossible Foods, explained the company’s motivation behind this new venture: “Impossible began as a foodservice brand, launching our flagship beef product in 2016 with some of the best …

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Plantega opens flagship kitchen for corporate catering

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New York’s Plantega Launches Flagship Kitchen for Corporate Catering and Events

Plantega, the New York brand offering turnkey plant-based deli-in-store solutions, has announced the launch of its first fully self-managed flagship kitchen. Called Plantega Kitchen & Catering (PKC), the kitchen will provide food for large group orders, corporate catering, and events across New York City. It has been launched in recognition of the fact that many meals in the city are consumed within offices, event venues, and other private institutions. Described as “highly tech-enabled”, PKC is optimized for both city-wide catering clients and local direct-to-consumer delivery. The launch follows a boom in workplace catering as workers increasingly return to the office. Plantega says PKC will allow organizations to serve options that are better for people and the planet, helping them reduce their food-related emissions. Additionally, the …

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Oshi X Neat Burger

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Oshi Expands US Presence with Neat Partnership and California Production

Oshi has announced a partnership with Neat, a vegan burger chain supported by celebrities Lewis Hamilton and Leonardo DiCaprio. The collaboration will bring Oshi’s salmon to Neat’s recently reformulated New York City menu, where it will be featured in vegan fish tacos, rice bowls, and Caesar salads with avocado. Oshi, which rebranded from Plantish last year, is known for its flagship product, a plant-based salmon fillet composed of mycoprotein, algae, and vegetable oils, which replicate the layered flakes and fat found in traditional salmon. Oshi announced the rollout onto Neat menus on social media, stating, “It’s fantastic to see our products featured in more and more NYC restaurants, making sustainable dining options accessible to all. We can’t wait for you to try our salmon and …

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Wagamama launches new brunch menu with vegan options

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Wagamama Launches First Ever Brunch Menu With Wide Range of Vegan Options

Asian-inspired UK restaurant chain Wagamama has launched its first ever brunch menu, featuring a range of new vegan dishes. Customers can choose from two varieties of breakfast bao buns — vegan sausage & mushroom or vegan bacon & mushroom. There is also a big vegan breakfast featuring plant-based bacon and sausages, grilled tomato, hash browns, smashed avocado with edamame and tofu, teriyaki mushrooms, spinach, baked beans, and toast. For a lighter option, there is an açaí bowl consisting of açaí sorbet with banana, strawberries, peanut-free spread, and granola. Alternatively, customers can order an overnight oat bowl with chia seeds, coconut milk, sweet mandarin, sour cherry compote, and sunflower seed brittle. Avocado toast with teriyaki mixed mushrooms is also available. For those seeking a less traditional …

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chunk foods pastrami queen

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Chunk Foods Partners with Pastrami Queen to Launch Plant-Based Pastrami in NYC

Chunk Foods, a producer of plant-based whole cuts, has partnered with Pastrami Queen, the home of Anthony Bourdain’s favorite pastrami sandwich, to introduce a new plant-based pastrami option. Pastrami Queen’s location at Moynihan Food Hall will offer “The Prince powered by Chunk,” a sandwich featuring Chunk’s plant-based pastrami, traditional New York deli mustard, rye bread, and a pickle, This partnership is groundbreaking, Amos Golan, founder and CEO of Chunk Foods, stated, “We’re thrilled about this partnership with Pastrami Queen, a beloved NYC institution. We can’t wait for New Yorkers to try this innovative and exclusive menu item.” Pastrami Queen, established on Manhattan’s Lower East Side in 1956, has a long-standing reputation for its hand-carved pastrami and traditional Jewish deli fare. According to Chunk, this partnership …

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Chloe Coscarelli

Chloe Coscarelli © CHLOE

Chloe Coscarelli Reclaims Her Place in NYC Vegan Food Scene With Opening of CHLOE

In a tale of redemption, celebrity vegan chef and cookbook author Chloe Coscarelli has opened her new vegan restaurant, CHLOE, at 185 Bleecker Street in New York City, the original site of her first restaurant, By Chloe.  Coscarelli, the first vegan chef to win Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars,” co-founded By Chloe with Samantha Wasser of ESquared Hospitality in 2015. The restaurant, which opened its first location in Greenwich Village, quickly gained recognition for its plant-based menu, leading to rapid expansion across New York, Los Angeles, Boston, and internationally to London and Canada.  An abrupt halt In March 2017, a legal dispute arose between Coscarelli and her business partners at ESquared Hospitality over the brand’s direction. According to the lawsuit, the company wanted to mass-produce her …

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