UK burger chain, Byron, is launching a new vegan burger as part of its new menu this week.
A beetroot falafel patty, named the Beetnik, will be served with avocado, pickled red onions, tomatoes, baby kale, red pepper ketchup, and lime-dressed rainbow slaw.
“This is our most significant menu launch yet,” Byron’s Head of Food, Paul Mason, told Vegan Food and Living. “Byron has always been a pioneer of proper burgers and this menu aims to reflect the growing breadth of modern British burger tastes. Whether you’re a meat-lover, veggie, vegan or simply having a meat-free Monday, you’ll find yourself at home in a Byron.”
Pizza GoGo, The Real Greek, Pizza Hut, and Costa Coffee are just some of the UK’s nationwide chains who have, like Byron, recently launched new vegan options. The new additions come as a response to rising consumer demand for meat and dairy-free dishes.
Pizza GoGo recently asked its customers on Facebook if they wanted a completely vegan pizza on the menu, the resulting response was overwhelming, the chain noted. “WOW…looks like the vegan gang have spoken!” a spokesperson for the company wrote. “Taking this to the Director’s office right away…watch this space!”
The Real Greek also noted the launch of its new vegan menu was down to continued demand from its customers. “While The Real Greek has always been proud to have a variety of vegan-friendly options on its menu, creating a special dedicated menu was a natural step for us,” Christos Karatzenis, operations director for the company, stated. “We’re excited to launch this menu that is a result of listening to our customers.”
The number of vegans living in the UK has risen by 700 percent in the last two years, and nearly 8 million citizens are, at the very least, meat-free according to a survey by Harris.
“With persistent media campaigns promoting plant-based eating, and a wide range of meat alternatives readily available, it perhaps isn’t surprising that consumers are thinking about changing their ways,” Lucia Juliano, head of CPG & Retail research at Harris, stated. Juliano also noted that the meat-free trend was particularly prevalent amongst the younger generations. “It seems like times are changing,” she said.
Image Credit: Vegan Food and Living | Pizza Hut
