Once a rare novelty, vegan fast food chains are increasingly becoming a mainstream trend across the United States and Canada. As the number of vegetarian fast food brands grows, so does their ambition to redefine the global fast food industry with 100% plant-based meals.
From humble beginnings, many of the companies on this list have undertaken bold expansion plans to bring more sustainable and healthy comfort foods to the masses. From Canada and New York to California, here are seven brands aiming to overtake McDonald’s
1. Plant power fast food
Current position: 12
Founded in 2016, Plant Power has steadily expanded its brand – serving plant-based versions of classic burgers, fries and shakes throughout Southern California and Nevada. Its stunning Las Vegas restaurant features the “largest hamburger sign in all of Nevada” and reflects the company’s larger-than-life vision to transform fast food into a healthy, eco-friendly industry. In 2021, Plant Power raised $7.5M in Series A funding to double its number of locations, and the following year hired a former Starbucks executive as its chief development officer.
In 2022, the company unveiled a lower-priced menu as it works to achieve price parity with traditional fast food.
“Naturally, we understand that our company will not change the world alone,” said co-founder and co-CEO Jeffrey Harris. “But we are one of hundreds of new companies developing their business around a new paradigm based on principles of kindness, sustainability and social responsibility. Trust me, we don’t have everything figured out yet, but we are doing our best to be part of the change. And we have to grow to be as effective as we want to be.”
2. Next level burgers
Current position: 10
Based in Oregon, Next Level is primarily centered on the US West Coast and has become renowned for its focus on clean ingredients and earth-friendly packaging. All of the brand’s burgers, fries and favorite milkshakes are made with non-GMO or organic ingredients, while the packaging is fully compostable.
After raising $20M in 2022, Next Level’s growth plan includes quadrupling its number of stores by the end of 2025 and massively expanding Next Level Clucker — an all-vegan chicken chain that serves specialties like wings and tenders. The company plans to open 1,000 Next Level Clocker takeout locations over the next ten years.
“As America’s first 100% plant-based burger joint chain, we’re all about serving burgers to a better world and we’re thrilled to begin this next step in our fight against climate change,” said CEO and co-founder Matt de Gruyter. “Since the inception of NLB, we have set out to open 1,000 stores coast to coast and this is the next chapter in that story. We’re bringing the plant-based, organic and non-GMO burger joint awesomeness that our guests expect from us to new cities and parts of the country, all while doing good for people and the planet.”
3. Slutty Vegan
Current position: 10
After taking Atlanta by storm, the phenomenon known as Slutty Vegan has quickly spread across the U.S., opening 10 locations in Georgia, Alabama, New York, and Texas. The chain popular for burgers with suggestive names like Sloppy Top and Chicken Head is just getting started: Slutty Vegan has raised $25M in Series A funding to open 20 new locations over the next two years.
The investment round, which included Shake Shack founder Danny Meyer, valued the company at $100M.
In an interview with Mashed, founder Pinky Cole said: “Everything we do is in great fashion, and I’m excited about growing my business, and I’m confident that Sluti Vegan will be a billion-dollar brand.”
4. Heart House
Current position: 4
Hart House is the creation of superstar actor and comedian Kevin Hart, who opened the first restaurant in Los Angeles in 2022. According to Hart, the concept aims to disrupt fast food with healthier and more affordable plant-based options, and he has hinted that he eventually wants to compete with Burger King and McDonald’s.
The Hart House menu, which includes burgers, crispy chicken, nuggets, tots and milkshakes, was co-developed by a former Burger King corporate chef. In May, Hart House opened its third location and first drive-thru on Hollywood’s famed Sunset Boulevard, where it reportedly replaced a shuttered McDonald’s. This week, the concept opened its 4th outlet on the University of Southern California campus, which the brand says is one of many campus locations.
“Hart House represents the first of many future college locations for USC,” said Hart House CEO Andy Hooper. “As Heart House ushers in a new era, we’re thrilled to offer this community a new way to discover and enjoy plant-based food, while simultaneously creating a sustainable environment for our employees and challenging the status quo.”
5. PLNT Burger
Current position: 14
PLNT Burger’s simple but delightful fare of gourmet plant-based burgers and shakes has helped it grow steadily throughout the US Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, where it can be found in stand-alone restaurants and inside six Whole Foods Markets.
Co-founded by celebrity chefs Spike Mendelsohn and Seth Goldman, the chain said it plans to open 30 locations by the end of 2023. PLNT Burger recently added Meati Chik’N Cutlets to its menu, and celebrated its 3rd NYC venue (and 14th overall) with a free burger giveaway.
“Having 4 brick and mortar locations in New York City along with our growth with Whole Foods Market is a big bet for us,” Goldman said last year. It’s great to see the plant-based movement maturing alongside PLNT Burger.”
6. Weird Burgers
Current position: 9
Canada’s Weird Burger, The first vegetarian fast food chain go public, has released a steady stream of expansion announcements over the past two years, starting with plans to open about 75 locations in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario over the next eight years. In 2022, Weird Burger announcement has begun its franchising operations in the United States with the intention of franchising in 25 states.
This week, Odd Burger took its first step toward entering the U.S. market with a deal to open 20 locations in Washington state.
“We couldn’t be more excited to begin our US expansion and extend our brand to millions of people in the US market,” said James McInnes, co-founder and CEO of Odd Burgers. “We have already received hundreds of inquiries from potential franchisees in the US and now we will begin the process of finding the perfect franchise partners to work with.”
7. Mr. Charlies
Current position: 2
Since his mysterious first appearance in Los Angeles last year, Mr. Charlies has delighted countless diners to hang out at a “vegan McDonald’s” restaurant. “Frannie Meal”, “Not Hamburgers”, and “Not Chicken Nuggets.”
After becoming a viral sensation, Mr. Charlies opened a second location in San Francisco and revealed that he had agreed to multi-million dollar deals to open new restaurants in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. Mr Charlies said it donates all its revenue after expenses to local charities and helps people facing homelessness by offering employment in their restaurants.
“We’re pushing to get as many people in this building as they need love,” co-founder Tyler McKinnon said. “Mr. Charlie’s is a safe place. We do not kill animals. We make food with plants, and we do it with a lot of dignity and a lot of respect.”
