Food Trend Alert: Are Vegan Burger Chains Set Be All the Rage?
The number of vegans across the globe is growing every day and as a result, the food industry is starting to cater more and more for those following a plant-based diet. Of course, just because you’re vegan doesn’t mean you only eat healthy food all day every day – just like their carnivorous counterparts, vegans also like to pig out every now and then. Currently, the US is seeing a rapid rise in the number of vegan fast food chains catering for those hankering for a good old-fashioned burger and fries, without the meat. So, is it only a matter of time before the trend of vegan fast food starts to take off in South Africa too?
Right now the vegan lifestyle might seem like just a passing fad to most but reports have shown that veganism is in fact here to stay. While there are very little local statistics, reports in the US have shown that the vegan population has grown exponentially over the last few years (with one report revealing a 500% increase in veganism in the US between 2014 and 2017) and it’s estimated that 4% of the world’s population is now vegan and 10% vegetarian.
Vegans will know that eating out as a herbivore can be difficult so the arrival of vegan fast-food chains in South Africa would be a welcome change for those forced to order yet another salad while their mates chomp down on juicy burgers and chicken nuggets. But, if happenings in Cape Town are anything to go by, then it seems it’s only a matter of time before vegan fast food joints start to pop up all over the country.
The Mother City is already home to vegan ‘junk food’ joint, Lekker Vegan, which offers all sorts of meat-free fast food delights such as burgers, fries, and even the Cape’s famous gatsbys. Lekker Vegan’s tremendous success in the Cape is a delicious step in the right direction and could very well be the first signs of a vegan fast food explosion in South Africa. Whether the vegan revolution in South Africa results in a growth in current fast food chains offering new vegan-friendly options or the arrival of dedicated vegan fast food chains, remains to be seen. We’re holding thumbs for the later!
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