Papa John’s to Add Vegan Cheese in UK

This week, pizza chain Papa John’s confirmed that it will soon add vegan cheese to the menu of its locations across the United Kingdom. The move comes after a petition launched by animal-rights group Animal Aid and website Vegan Food UK urging the chain to increase its vegan options gained 30,000 signatures. “At Papa John’s, we are completely committed to our customers and [are] ensuring that we deliver better pizza with better ingredients,” a spokesperson for Papa John’s said. “We were pleased to see the positive response to the recent vegan cheese alternative petition, as this is currently an area that we are developing, and hoping to roll out in the not-so-distant future.” Once it updates its menu, Papa John’s will join a growing list of pizza chains to offer vegan options, including Pizza Hut UK which added vegan cheese by Greek brand Violife to its menu last year and is currently testing a barbecue jackfruit-topped pizza during Veganuary—sales of which are nearing the 10,000-pie target it set for adding the limited-edition pizza to its permanent menu. “By adding vegan cheese to their menu, Papa John’s will be showing that they are up-to-date with the fast-growing vegan movement,” Animal Aid campaign manager Tod Bradbury said. “We hope that Papa John’s decision not only has a positive effect on their sales but also encourages other pizza chains and restaurants who have not yet introduced a vegan cheese to do so.” Papa John’s has not announced a similar menu update to its locations in the United States.