6 years ago

Panera Adding More Plant-Based Options to Meet Customer Demands

Popular food spot Panera announced via their CEO that the company would be cutting a significant portion of meat from the menu. The chain hopes to have half of its menu be plant-based by 2021, according to Business Insider.

CEO Niren Chaudhary told Business Insider that the company is moving toward plant-based menu offerings in the next few years, following consumer demand for plant-based options. He told the publication, “We already have strong credentials on plant-based. 25% of our menu items are plant-based. With just one customization, 60% of our menu is plant-based. It’s more about better for you, and better for the world, and better for the environment, and better for animals. I think consumers are recognizing that — mostly the younger consumers, they feel more accountable for that.”

Panera’s vice president of wellness and food policy Sara Burnett echoed Chaudhary’s statement, Consumers are more and more knowledgeable. I think in an earlier phase than plant-based, but I think that that’s actually going to become a bigger motivation for consumers over time.”

As news about the environmental impact of meat spreads, consumers are becoming more knowledgeable about the impact their choices have. And restaurants are following suit. Dunkin is partnering with Beyond Meat, Burger King with the Impossible Burger.

In the UK, Veganuary has been a driving force behind menu and food offerings. Wagamama announced a watermelon tuna bowl as part of its new menu. Sainsbury’s introduced a line of vegan products. There are two new vegan pizza options , one by Domino’s, the other by Chicago Town. And Pret a Manger added a vegan croissant to its breakfast lineup. Also this month, Italian chain Frankie & Benny’s announced a partnership with Meat Loaf to raise Climate change awareness for Veganuary.

Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health and more! Dairy consumption also has been linked many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate cancer and has many side effects.

For those of you interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Here are some great resources to get you started:

For more Animal, Earth, Life, Vegan Food, Health, and Recipe content published daily, subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter! Lastly, being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!

For more Animal, Earth, Life, Vegan Food, Health, and Recipe content published daily, subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter! Also, don’t forget to download the Food Monster App on iTunes — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest meatless, vegan and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy!

Lastly, being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!