Wendy’s Canada Quietly Debuts Plant-Based “Plantiful Burger”

Wendy’s tests new plant-based burger in Canada

With the ongoing vegan buzz around fast-food chains like Dunkin’ and Burger King, it looks like Wendy’s might finally be catching up by testing a plant-based burger in Etobicoke, Ontario.

After an advertisement for the burger was spotted in Ontario, we followed up with several stores in the region where workers informed us that while the patty itself is being marketed as “100% plant-based,” the menu item does, in fact, include egg ingredients (which may be the optional mayo or bun), making it vegetarian. The burger is reportedly designed for “flexitarians,” or people hoping to cut back on their meat intake. The “Plantiful Burger” also comes with (non-vegan) cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and onions.

Wendy’s has introduced a veggie burger before as the result of a Change.org petition started by actor and comedian Steve-O, but the black bean burger was discontinued in 2017. But now, vegan fast-food is becoming the new normal as chains like Dunkin’, Burger King and McDonald’s utilize high-tech meat substitute products like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods.  

Though the Plantiful Burger doesn’t seem to be made from either of those products, we were told the recipe involves pea protein, the main protein used in Beyond Meat. 

Though not fully vegan, this step represents yet another win for animals and the future of food. 

Photo: Amanda Logan