TORONTO — A new report by World Animal Protection, Moving the Menu 2024, has revealed that despite growing demand, most Canadian restaurant chains are laggards when it comes to offering plant-based menu options. The report ranks 23 major restaurant chains on their efforts to promote sustainable, human, plant-based eating.
Chipotle stands out as the top performer, earning a grade of B, while McDonald’s, Wendy’s and several chicken chains, including KFC and Popeyes, fall to the bottom with a failing grade. Burger King and Harvey’s scored a C for offering plant-based options such as the Impossible Whopper, but A&W, despite having the Beyond Meat burger, received an F due to a lack of commitment to broader sustainability goals.
The chicken sector failed completely. All major chicken chains, including KFC, Mary Brown’s and Popeyes, received an F, making little to no investment in plant-based alternatives. Starbucks and Tim Hortons made progress with a C grade, but still face criticism for charging extra for plant-based milk alternatives. Second Cup and Coffee Time received failing grades.
Animal agriculture is a significant driver of climate change, accounting for nearly 15 per cent of global greenhouse-gas emissions. Reducing reliance on animal-sourced foods is crucial to meeting climate targets and building a more sustainable food system. To align with climate goals and meet growing consumer demand for sustainable dining options, the report calls on restaurants position plant-based proteins as integral to sustainability strategies and animal welfare goals; increase and promote plant-based menu options by default; commit to reducing animal products by 25 per cent by 2030; report progress annually on sustainability commitments; and explore emerging innovations such as fermentation-based and cell-cultivated proteins.
“The future of our plant depends on bold, decisive action to reduce our reliance on animal products,” says Lynn Kavanagh, farming campaign manager, World Animal Protection Canada. “By embracing plant-based options, we not only spare millions of animals from suffering, but also create a healthier, more sustainable world. It’s time for the food industry to take responsibility and make plant-based eating the new norm for the sake of animals, people and the planet.”
The plant-based sector is projected to reach USD $22.3B globally by 2029.
