Einstein Bros. Bagels Adds Vegan Schmear

Vegan bagels and Kite Hill’s vegan cream cheese are now available at select locations of Einstein Bros. Bagels—the largest bagel chain in the United States. The menu update was discovered last week by vegan musician Adam Russell, who plays the bass for band Story of the Year. In 2017, animal-rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) launched a campaign—backed by 43,000 signatories—to add vegan cream cheese at Einstein Bros. Bagels. As part of the campaign, vegan actress Lisa Edelstein wrote a letter to Mike Tattersfield, the CEO of the chain’s parent company Einstein Noah Restaurant Group. “The time is ripe for vegan cream cheese, as demonstrated by the growing success of—and shelf space for—spreads by companies such as Follow Your Heart, Tofutti, GO VEGGIE, Kite Hill, and Daiya,” Edelstein wrote. “I hope your brands will soon join others in meeting the demand for exciting plant-based menu items.”