Food Service: Latest News 2023 - vegconomist: the vegan business magazine

College students in dining hall

©Tulane University

Study: 81% of College Students Choose Plant-Based Meal When It’s the Default Option

June 1, 2023May 31, 2023

In a “first of its kind” study, global food service provider Sodexo says it found that switching from a meat-default to a plant-default meal at several colleges produced a dramatic result: 81% of students chose the plant-based meals. Surveys also indicated that the students – including meat eaters – were more likely to express satisfaction with meat-free meals on days when plant-based food was the default. Working with the Food for Climate League and the Better Food Foundation, Sodexo states the study is the first multi-university in-field experiment using default plant-based options within all-you-care-to-eat settings. The study involved three US colleges: Tulane University in New Orleans, Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. “Astounding” results The research team assessed …

Organisations and Brands:Sodexo

EAT HAPPY instore sushi concept

© EAT HAPPY

EAT HAPPY Trials Vegan Fish Sushi in Austria Where Vegan Diet is “Rising Steadily”

May 31, 2023

EAT HAPPY, an in-store sushi concept and leading supplier of Asian convenience products in mainland Europe, launches three plant-based fish sushi products, stating that the company sees the “proportion of those people who eat a purely vegan diet rising steadily in Austria”. The products being trialed at four initial test markets in Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck are Vegan Salmon Nigiri, Vegan Salmon Maki, and Vegan Tuna California. The vegan sushi products are set to expand nationally throughout Austria after the test phase. EAT HAPPY’s plant-based offerings EAT HAPPY is represented in more than 3,000 locations in stationary food retailers throughout Europe and operates 50 EAT HAPPY Shops as well as in more than 1,000 chests at stores such as Billa and Spar. Last May, the …

Spanish restaurant chain Ribs launches four vegan options

© Ribs

Spain’s Meat-Heavy Chain Ribs Introduces ‘True American Vegans & Veggies’ Menu

May 30, 2023

Adapting to emerging trends and consumer habits, the QSR restaurant chain Ribs, with multiple stores across Spain, has launched a new range of vegan dishes that it says do not comprise the brand’s authentic grilled flavor. The new menu, dubbed True American Vegans & Veggies, includes four options: Vegan Nachos, Veggie Onion & Chipotle Burger, Vegan Cheese Burger, and Vegan Burritos. Ribs, a brand of the Ibersol Group, was founded in Madrid in 1991, inspired by the first authentic American steakhouse in Spain, El Descanso. Their charcoal grills cook more than 330 tons of ribs yearly for the more than 3 million customers who visit their restaurants in Spain. Swapping the meat For this vegan offer, Ribs replaces the animal meat often used in these …

Organisations and Brands:Ribs

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UNLIMEAT 2 Hands corn dog

UNLIMEAT X 2 Hands

Cult Chain Two Hands Launches UNLIMEAT Vegan Corn Dogs in Response to Demand

May 24, 2023

UNLIMEAT, formed in South Korea and also operating from the US, announces a collaboration with Two Hands, a US franchise offering a range of Korean-style corn dogs, to launch a vegan option containing UNLIMEAT’s vegan sausage, in response to growing consumer demand. Two Hands Corn Dogs operates in more than 60 locations throughout the US and states there are hundreds more branches set to open across the rest of 2023. The business has gained attention in the United States for its unique offering of a diverse range of fillings and coatings, with the UNLIMEAT collab representing the chain’s first vegan option. UNLIMEAT claims that it runs the largest plant-based meat-exclusive factory in Asia, with a wide portfolio including several products suitable for the American palette …

Organisations and Brands:Two Hands Unlimeat

Plant Milk Butter

©Miyoko's Creamery

Miyoko’s Creamery Partners with Dot Foods to Expand Plant Milk Butter and Cheese in US Food Service

May 19, 2023

Plant dairy innovator Miyoko’s Creamery announces it is partnering with Dot Foods, North America’s largest food industry redistributor, to bring its award-winning Plant Milk Mozzarella and Butter to US food service nationwide. Through the partnership, Miyoko’s plant-based products – which have been developed for all culinary and baking applications – will become available to over 5,000 food service distributors across the country. According to the company, it strives to create artisan plant-based cheeses and butter that challenge category norms with taste appeal and culinary excellence. The new lineup at Dot Foods includes: European Style Plant Milk Butter – A cultured and churned butter made using traditional methods that melts, spreads, bakes, and browns. Pourable Plant Milk Mozzarella – A first-of-its-kind, organic cashew milk made without the …

Organisations and Brands:DOT Foods Miyoko's Creamery

Beyond Meat Smashable Burger

© Beyond Meat

Beyond Meat Launches 2.5oz Beyond Smashable Burger Patty Into US Foodservice

May 19, 2023

Following the emerging trend for smash burgers, differentiated by the cooking method of smashing the meat into the grill with a spatula, creating increased surface area and allowing for an elevated taste profile due to the extra heat; Beyond Meat today launches 2.5oz Beyond Smashable Burger into US foodservice channels. Described by Beyond as having a “juicy, tender center and crispy, caramelized exterior”, the new patty is said to offer a “customizable experience so that foodservice operators can create the perfect smash-style burger option to fit their menu.” The launch comes in response to the fact that smash burgers have been trending on social media in recent months, while plant-based burgers have remained the fastest-growing term on restaurant menus since 2019 — up 1,150% according …

Organisations and Brands:Beyond Meat

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VeBurger opens in UK's "vegan capital", Bristol

© VeBurger

Bristol’s Thriving Plant-Based Scene Expands With New Vegan Hotspots

May 19, 2023May 19, 2023

As another plant-based restaurant arrives in Bristol — often said to be the vegan capital of the UK — we take a look at some of the eateries that have opened their doors in the city over the past year. VeBurger The newest addition to Bristol’s vegan restaurant scene is VeBurger, a plant-based burger joint that is set to open in Wapping Wharf. The location will offer some of the cheapest vegan burgers in the city, with prices starting at just £2.99. VeBurger launched last year as a delivery service and was so successful that it soon began searching for a storefront. The burger joint will open on May 29, offering free food to its first 100 customers. Vegan India Last month, Bristol got its …

Organisations and Brands:VeBurger

Vegan ranch for fast food

©DYMA Brands

Revolutionizing Food Service: US Company Debuts “Industry First” Single-Serve Vegan Condiments

May 19, 2023May 18, 2023

Atlanta-based DYMA Brands announces it will debut its first-ever line of plant-based condiments, including Mayo, Ranch and Hunny Mustard, in single-serve cups and pouches. The company is launching the line at the upcoming National Restaurant Show in Chicago. According to DYMA, its new range of vegan condiments and dressings is the first such offering in the single-serve category of food service, and provides a convenient way to make plant-forward menu items, such as fast food burgers, fully plant-based. Filling the gap “Over the past few years, plant-based proteins, in the form of burgers or nuggets for example, have become readily available for most operators,” Jenna Adler, director of marketing at DYMA Brands, told VegNews. “However, oftentimes, the accompaniments to the center-of-plate option, including the condiments, …

Organisations and Brands:DYMA Brands

Faster melting vegan American cheese

©Violife Professional

Violife Professional Debuts “Easy Melt” American Slices for Faster Melting Vegan Cheese

May 12, 2023May 12, 2023

Violife Professional, the food service arm of Violife, announces it is launching Violife Just Like American Slices Easy Melt. Available to food service establishments, the product offers a more quickly melting cheese for menu applications like burgers, sandwiches and wraps. Violife Professional will showcase its dairy-free cheese portfolio at the upcoming National Restaurant Show, being held May 20 – 23 in Chicago. The new Easy Melt cheese comes pre-sliced and can be used in hot and grilled food as well as cold sandwiches, trays and buffets. Made with coconut oil, the product is free from gluten, soy, nuts, lactose, and GMOs, and offers an “excellent” source of Vitamin B12. As a new fast-melting cheese option, the Easy Melt slices are available for use in restaurants, …

Organisations and Brands:Violife Professional

Vegan bacon cheeseburger from Plantega

©Plantega

NYC’s Plantega Announces Bigger Menu and New Plant-Based Partners, Including Karana and Prime Roots

May 12, 2023

NYC’s deli-in-store concept Plantega announces it is launching a new menu with a significant change-up of plant-based brand partners and products. Beginning the week of May 15, the organization will launch its new menu to over 40 bodega locations across New York City, as well as on food delivery platforms UberEats, DoorDash and Grubhub. The new menu changes are as follows: Zero Egg replaces JUST Egg (as exclusive plant-based egg partner) Karana replaces Beyond Meat (whole-plant meat Breakfast Sausage and Burger made with jackfruit) California-based Prime Roots will replace Be-Hive deli meats Wicked Kitchen joins the menu with a Wicked Italian Meatball WayFare replaces Miyoko’s Butter and Cream Cheese (Wayfare’s Nacho Cheddar Cheese remains on menu as a top 5 sandwich seller) Vertage Foods’ American …

Organisations and Brands:Plantega

© Manna

56-Year-Old Vegan Restaurant Frequented by Paul McCartney Seeks Funding for Expansion

May 12, 2023

Manna, a vegan restaurant that first opened in London in 1967, is seeking funding to expand its brand and potentially open locations in other UK cities. After starting life as a vegetarian restaurant, Manna is now fully plant-based, serving wholesome, seasonal, freshly made dishes. It aims to cater to all allergies and dietary requirements, which includes providing kosher options. Historically, the restaurant has been frequented by celebrities such as Paul McCartney. Manna is a huge supporter of animal welfare and protection, hosting a variety of charity and fundraising events. In September, a fundraising dinner for All Dogs Matter was held at the restaurant, featuring actor Peter Egan (the charity’s patron). The animal rights groups North London Fox Sabs, Animal Equality, and Animal Rising have also …

Organisations and Brands:Manna

Plant-Based ChickenWorks product

ChickenWorks ©Motif FoodWorks

Motif FoodWorks Launching “Authentic” Plant-Based Beef, Pork and Chicken for Food Service

May 10, 2023May 10, 2023

Boston food tech company Motif FoodWorks announces it is launching a new portfolio of finished plant-based meats for food service, including Motif PorkWorks™ Grounds and Motif BeefWorks™ Patties and Grounds. The company will showcase the portfolio, along with a preview of Motif ChickenWorks™, at the National Restaurant Association Show (NRA) in Chicago. According to Motif, its new food service products give restaurant owners options that provide the taste and texture of real meat, and satisfy customer demand for better protein alternatives. Motif states that 53% percent of consumers report they would eat more meat alternatives if they tasted better. To create the new products, the company says it combined its first two commercial ingredients, HEMAMI and APPETEX, to accurately mimic the flavors and springy texture …

Organisations and Brands:Motif FoodWorks

Tenderloin steak Redefine Meat

Tenderloin ©Redefine Meat

Redefine Meat to Be Served at All 29 Enchilada Locations in Germany & Multiple Restaurants Across Italy

May 10, 2023

Redefine Meat announces the launch of its Redefine Burger at all 29 Enchilada restaurants in Germany, as well as the commercial launch of its New-Meat at several restaurants in Italy. Daniel Gantenberg, CEO of Enchilada Franchise AG, recently ranked 4th in the ProVeg ranking of vegan-friendly restaurant chains, explains, “The demand for plant-based alternatives is growing, both among vegans and vegetarians, but also increasingly among flexitarians who are looking for high-quality plant-based alternatives without having to sacrifice the taste of meat.” The New-Meat products, created with non-GMO plant-based ingredients using “a range of breakthrough technologies, ranging from material science and additive manufacturing to artificial intelligence and machine learning”, are now available at thousands of food service providers across the UK, Germany, Netherlands, France, Austria, Sweden, …

Organisations and Brands:Redefine Meat

Love.Life is announces the grand opening of its new restaurant on May 5 in Culver City, California.

© Love.Life

Love.Life Announces Grand Opening of 100% Plant-Based Restaurant in LA, Today May 5th

May 5, 2023

Love.Life announces the grand opening of its new restaurant today, May 5 in Culver City, California. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner service, the 100% plant-based restaurant represents the “first element of the Love.Life experience”, which will entail food, holistic medical care, and wellness therapies. Co-founded in 2020 by John Mackey, Walter Robb, former co-CEO of Whole Foods, and Betsy Foster, a former executive of the grocer, the company acquired the Miami-based restaurant, Love Life Cafe, and also recently announced the acquisition of Plant Based TeleHealth which was rebranded as Love.Life Telehealth. “I have been passionate about healthy eating since the inception of Whole Foods and believe the food we eat is the most powerful choice we can make when it comes to health,” …

Organisations and Brands:Love.Life

Veggie Shack Burger Patty at Shake Shack

©Shake Shack

Shake Shack Unveils First Vegan Patty, Adds NotCo Milkshakes and Custard to Permanent Menu

May 2, 2023

US burger chain Shake Shack announces it is adding three plant-based items to its permanent menu, including the Veggie Shack, its first 100% vegan patty. The chain will also make its Non-Dairy Chocolate Shake and Non-Dairy Frozen Custard, developed in partnership with NotCo, a new part of its core menu. NOTE: To be fully vegan, the Veggie Shack must be ordered without cheese, ShackSauce and with a lettuce wrap instead of bun. According to Shake Shack, the new Veggie Shack required months of extensive R&D and taste tests in its New York City locations. Made with grains and seasonal vegetables, the patty features mushrooms, sweet potatoes, carrots, farro and quinoa, American cheese (non-vegan), crispy onions, pickles and ShackSauce (non-vegan.) The burger is priced at $8.29, …

Organisations and Brands:NotCo ShakeShack