According to a leaked photo of A&W’s
internal company roadmap, the fast-food giant plans to introduce the vegan
Beyond Burger from Beyond Meat on July 9.
Known for its root beer floats and meat-based
burgers, A&W has more than 1,200 locations worldwide, with upwards of 850
of them in Canada alone.
While the company has not yet made an official
announcement, the internal document reads: “July 9th. Beyond
Meat Launch. Time to switch into high gear. It’s not clear yet whether the
popular plant-based burger will be rolled out to U.S. locations.
The company currently offers a veggie burger
option, but you have to swap out the conventional bun for a gluten-free one and
ditch the sauce and cheese to make the burger vegan. The Beyond Burger would be
the chain’s first all-vegan burger.
A&W isn’t the first restaurant brand to
carry the Beyond Burger. Last year casual restaurant chain TGI Fridays rolled out the Beyond Burger to
its more than 465 U.S. locations. What’s more, fast-food joints around the
world are racing to bring plant-based foods to their customers. Earlier this
year, McDonald’s made the McVegan a permanent menu
fixture in Finland and Sweden. And Bareburger, Umami Burger, White Castle, and Momofuku Nishi offer the Impossible Burger!
The introduction of these new plant-based
products reflects a rising demand for vegan food. Research firm Global Data
reports that veganism in America increased by 600 percent between 2014
and 2017, and Allied Market Research predicts that the meat substitute market will grow 8.4 percent from 2015 to
2020, potentially reaching $5.2 billion globally.
What’s more, a recent study commissioned by
the Plant Based Foods Association and The Good Food Institute revealed that the
plant-based foods market had topped $3.1 billion in sales.
And Lux Research expects plant-based proteins to make up a third of the global protein market by 2054.
More people enjoying vegan food is great news
for the billions of animals who suffer horribly at factory farms. Cows, pigs,
and chickens raised and killed for food are subjected to unthinkable cruelties: tiny,
filthy cages; burns and amputations; and merciless slaughter.
See for yourself.
Fortunately, by switching to a compassionate
vegan lifestyle you can take a stand for animals, the environment, and your own health. Click here to
get started. And check out our Pinterest
page for thousands of recipe ideas!