Shhh! Wendy’s Quietly Adds Plant-Based Burger to Its Menu in Canada

Fast-food chain Wendy’s quietly debuted a new vegan-friendly Plantiful Burger at locations in Canada. The chain has yet to make a formal announcement or add the new burger to its website, however, outdoor advertisements of the menu item have been spotted at locations in the Toronto area with the slogan “Where’s the beef? Not here.” The Plantiful Burger features an all-vegan patty made with pea protein, along with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, plus dairy-based mayonnaise and cheese. It has not yet been confirmed if the bun it is served on is vegan (it contains stearoyl-2-lactylate, which could be animal-derived). It is also not clear whether the burger is a test run or a permanent menu item. During a 2019 second-quarter earnings call in August, Wendy’s CEO Todd Penegor said the chain is considering adding plant-based meat options to its menu. “Clearly there is growth out there in plant-based proteins and we believe that it is a trend that will be here to stay,” Penagor said. In September, American college student Lana Weidgenant launched a petition urging the fast-food chain—which previously offered a black bean-based burger patty—to modernize its menu and release vegan versions of its square patties. The petition received more than 27,000 signatures.