Research finds 25 most popular restaurant chains in the US
fail to embrace plant-based by default
NEW
YORK, July 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, World
Animal Protection released Moving the Menu 2024, its latest report
card evaluating the top 25 US restaurant chains across five popular
categories: burgers, chicken, sandwich, coffee/beverage, and
Latin/Mexican-inspired. The report reveals an alarming lack of
plant-based by default options at popular chain restaurants and
zero meaningful commitments to address their resource-intensive
menus, with most chains receiving low grades.
The scorecard emphasizes the importance of shifting to
plant-based by default options, meaning offering fully plant-based
dishes as a primary choice without requiring modification, for
protecting animals, the planet, and public health.
Annette Manusevich, Farming
Campaign Manager, World Animal Protection, US states:
"Despite the urgent need to shift to more plant-based diets and
the growing consumer demand for ethical and environmentally
friendly food choices, most leading chains like Taco Bell and
McDonald's are failing to make the grade. Chain restaurants play a
pivotal role in the daily food decisions of many American families.
Establishing and promoting innovative plant-based by default menus
is critical for shifting our food system away from the destruction
and suffering inherent in factory farming and move us towards a
more sustainable future."
While some chains like Burger King, Peet's, and Chipotle have
made notable progress by introducing plant-based menu items and
highlighting the benefits of plant-based foods in their reporting,
there is much more work to be done and still an opportunity for
companies to stand out as true leaders.
The Standard American Diet's current mass production and
consumption of meat involves immense animal suffering,
environmental degradation, and public health risks along the entire
supply chain. World Animal Protection is calling for restaurants to
adopt ambitious meat reduction targets and incorporate more
innovative plant-based proteins to mitigate these impacts. Options
like fermentation protein and, potentially in the near future,
cell-cultivated protein offer exciting opportunities to reimagine
fast food menus and make positive changes for our communities.
Take action by signing up for World Animal Protection's new
toolkit, a one-stop shop for advocating for plant-based by default
menus at your favorite chains.
About World Animal Protection
World Animal Protection is a global organization working to end
factory farming and wildlife exploitation. We expose cruel systems,
promote animal-friendly alternatives, and influence policy change.
For over 70 years, World Animal Protection has been rewriting the
story for animals.
Working across almost 50 countries with offices in 12, we are
the only animal welfare organization with UN Consultative Status,
enabling us to engage with and influence global decision-makers. We
prioritize animals in farming and wild animals exploited for use in
entertainment, as pets, and in fashion.
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SOURCE World Animal Protection