Fast Casual Restaurants Add Vegan Options

It’s been one year since Subway stores successfully tested a new vegan menu in the DC-metro area: customers quickly devoured and raved about the Sweet Riblet, Malibu Greek, and Italian Black Bean. While we’re still waiting to see the vegan options permanently added to Subway’s menus nationwide, several other fast casual restaurants are moving on this issue, recognizing the marketing opportunities arising from the increasing consumer demand for healthy, sustainable, and animal-friendly foods.

Tropical Smoothie, with more than 300 stores across the country, recently rolled out Beyond Meat chicken-free strips, which can replace the chicken in any of the wraps or salads. That makes for a multitude of tasty options, as this Facebook photo album shows.

In addition, Chipotle launched vegan sofritas in Bay Area stores earlier this year — and it was such a success, this spicy option has been added to all California Chipotle restaurants. Moreover, when Chipotle launched a “free vegan sofrita burrito promotion” just last week, the demand was so great that all available coupons were distributed within the first day!

All Quiznos locations are also now dishing out Sabra brand red pepper hummus to dress up any sandwich. And Gardein’s test of its meat-free chicken and beef products in two Orange County, CA Baja Fresh locations did so well that consumers can now buy those options at four more nearby stores, bringing the total to six locations:

• North Irvine (13248 Jamboree Rd., Irvine, CA 92602)
• Cypress (5900 Katella Ave., Cypress, CA 90630)
• Simi Valley (1464 Madera Rd., Ste. F, Simi Valley, CA 93065)
• Beverly Connection (8495-C W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90048)
• South Irvine (5633 Alton Parkway Bldg #200, Irvine, CA 92618)
• Culver City (10768 Venice Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232)

But what about dessert? Tutti Frutti is offering a vegan soy bean frozen yogurt, and even donating the proceeds of sales to hunger relief. In addition to its creamy texture and delicious taste, the yogurt also happens to be gluten-free, non-fat, non-GMO, probiotic-rich, and protein-full!

With all of these restaurants offering protein-packed, heart-healthy meals, it’s time that Subway, the world’s largest restaurant franchise with more than 38,000 stores worldwide, offered them too. Visit WeLoveSubway.com now or call the main office at 203-877-4281 to tell the company you want to see veggie meats on its menu!