For nearly two centuries, Cadbury has been churning out some of the UK’s favorite candy bars. Now, as more Brits embrace plant-based food, the confectionery giant is moving with the times and opening its first vegan chocolate shop.
The new pop-up store is opening in Soho, London, and every customer that walks through the doors will be given one of the brand’s new Plant Bars for free.
Cadbury launched its Plant Bars, its first-ever vegan milk chocolate options, towards the end of last year. At the time, Louise Stigant—the managing director of Cadbury’s parent company Mondelēz UK—said the move was motivated by the “increasing public appetite for varied snacking options and plant-based alternatives.”
Dietary attitudes are changing in the UK. According to a 2022 study by Mintel, nearly half of Brits are making more flexitarian food choices. Another study by the market research firm in 2021 found that one in three UK consumers regularly choose plant-based milk over dairy.
Stigant continued: “Evolving consumer demands have long informed our ambition to provide a wide range of products that work for everyone and the new Cadbury Plant Bar range is the latest stop on this journey.”
Big companies embrace vegan pop-ups
Cadbury’s move is bold, but it isn’t unique. More and more, big companies are seeing the benefits in heavily promoting their vegan options.
Just last week in London, Burger King opened its second fully plant-based location. (The first was in Madrid.) Just like Cadbury, the vegan location is opening for a limited time. The menu includes more than 15 meatless burgers and Whoppers.
“The limited-edition menu is a direct result of our focus on vegan and plant-based innovation and goes hand in hand with our target of a 50% meat-free menu by 2030,” said Katy Evans from Burger King UK. “It absolutely delivers on big taste with no compromises.”
While not vegan, McDonald’s recently decided to respond to the UK’s demand for more sustainable options by opening its first net-zero emissions restaurant in Shropshire. The new spot includes chairs made from recycled plastic bottles and a drive-thru made from old tires. At the time of the launch, Beth Hart, a spokesperson for the fast-food chain, implied that more plant-based options could be on the way.
Cadbury’s vegan pop-up will be open for five days, starting from March 22.
