This week, we shared the groundbreaking news that Denny’s is finally offering a vegan breakfast option at more than 1,300 locations across the US. Quietly introduced in March, the new dish features multigrain wheat pancakes, served with hash browns and fruit.
“By committing to plant-based options on their breakfast menu, Denny’s is setting a precedent,” said Erin Kwiatkowski of Mercy For Animals, applauding the move.
And there’s even more good news to savor: Nashville is celebrating vegan businesses with a full restaurant week, Veggie Grill by Next Level is rolling out a delicious new summer treat, and whole-cut vegan cod is making its way to store shelves.
Intrigued? Dive into the details below.
Kraft Heinz and General Mills are moving away from artificial colors
General Mills and Kraft Heinz—makers of iconic products like Lucky Charms and Heinz Tomato Ketchup—are phasing out artificial colors. Both companies have pledged to eliminate synthetic dyes from their products by the end of 2027, aligning with a voluntary deadline set during the Trump administration. “Across the long arc of our history, General Mills has moved quickly to meet evolving consumer needs, and reformulating our product portfolio to remove certified colors is yet another example,” said Jeff Harmening, CEO of General Mills.
The Be Hive
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Nashville to host vegan restaurant week
From June 22, Nashville is set to host Dine Vegan Nashville, a week-long celebration of the city’s plant-based restaurants, including Deep Sea Vegan, Germantown Pub, Sunflower Café, Sunflower Bakehouse, Succulent Vegan Tacos, and The BE Hive. The event is hosted by World Animal Protection and will also feature live music and free samples. “This city has so many amazing local eateries, and we are honored to partner with several of them to celebrate and draw attention to their delicious plant-based offerings,” said McKenzie Mak, the nonprofit’s community engagement manager.
Planta and Vegan Cuban Cuisine team up on plant-based Cuban sandwich
Vegan restaurant chain Planta—which has multiple locations across North America—has teamed up with Miami favorite Vegan Cuban Cuisine to launch a new sandwich at its Florida locations. The new sandwich, which is Cuban, of course, is loaded up with jackfruit lechón, vegan ham, dairy-free cheese, and will be available throughout June.
Urban Remedy now available in Whole Foods Markets across the US
Urban Remedy’s fresh, organic, ready-to-eat meals are now available in Whole Foods Markets across the US. The brand, which offers a range of plant-based options, including vegan Caesar salads and cold-pressed juices, has just launched its products in 27 Texas Whole Foods locations, which means it is now available in more than 400 Whole Foods across the country. Founder Neka Pasquale said in a statement: “Whole Foods Market has been an incredible believer in our brand, and we are excited to further our collaboration.”
Veggie Grill By Next Level
Veggie Grill By Next Level is offering organic ice cream for the summer
This summer, Veggie Grill By Next Level is offering dairy-free organic ice cream. Stop by one of its 16 locations for a scoop of Organic Summer Strawberry Ice Cream, or turn up the indulgence by opting for its Organic Berry Bliss Sundae. In honor of Pride, the plant-based fast-food chain is also offering a limited edition Peachy Passion Pride Smoothie, made with passion fruit, peaches, organic coconut milk, orange juice, and even vegan collagen.
Juicy Marbles and Revo Foods launch whole-cut vegan cod
Juicy Marbles is diving into the vegan seafood market. The brand—best known for its plant-based steak and ribs—has teamed up with fellow alt-protein company Revo Foods to launch Kinda Cod, a new whole-cut vegan cod designed for the US market.
Made from fungi-derived mycoprotein, the product is part of Juicy Marbles’ new initiative, Juicy Marbles and Friends, which aims to broaden access to plant-based whole cuts through strategic partnerships. “[This] will be a selection of amazing products that suit all different tastes, health goals, and price ranges, making plant-based whole cuts more accessible than ever,” co-founder Luka Sinček said in a statement. “This wouldn’t be possible if we insisted on doing everything in-house.”
Unlimeat moves into vegan desserts
As the name hints, Unlimeat has long been focused on making Korean-style vegan meat products. But now, it’s carving out space in the dessert category, too. The brand has just launched a new line of vegan cream buns and hotteok, called Bbang, in the US. The new dairy-free sweet treats join its existing line of vegan mochi cakes. Jei Oh, Brand Director at Unlimeat, said in a statement: “With Bbang, we aim to introduce more of Korea’s unique and creative dessert culture to the US market and pave the way for the next wave of K-food.”
Rival Foods
Rival Foods raises $11.5 million for plant-based whole cuts
In more vegan whole-cut news, Dutch brand Rival Foods has just raised around $11.5 million to increase production capacity for its whole-cut, clean-label, additive-free, plant-based meat alternatives. It plans to use the funding to expand into international retail and foodservice. “This investment marks a major milestone in our mission to make high-quality plant-based meat mainstream,” Birgit Dekkers, CEO and founder of Rival Foods, said in a statement. “With the backing of world-class investors, we’re ready to scale fast and reshape the future of protein. We’re called Rival for a reason—we’re here to be one.”
First plant-based beverage hub opens in Southeast Asia
Malaysian dairy-free milk brand Pure Mylk has opened The Mylky Way, an innovation hub for plant-based beverages. The first of its kind, the new facility aims to support like-minded plant-based brands with product development. “Whether you’re a startup or a legacy brand exploring plant-based, we’re here to help bring your vision to life with confidence and consistency,” Marcus Khoo, CEO of Pure Mylk, said in a statement.
Washington, DC café chain to stop charging extra for dairy-free milk
Busboys and Poets, a popular café and restaurant chain with three locations in Washington, DC, has eliminated the upcharge for dairy-free milk. According to PETA, owner Andy Shallal—whose establishments also serve as cultural hubs—stated, “People using non-dairy milk substitutes shouldn’t have to subsidize factory animal production.”
Laird Superfood’s new protein latte is made with functional mushrooms
Laird Superfood, a plant-based creamer brand, has launched a new powdered Protein Instant Latte featuring 10 grams of protein per serving. The blend includes pea, hemp, and pumpkin seed proteins, along with functional mushrooms such as lion’s mane, cordyceps, chaga, and maitake for added wellness benefits. The new creamer can be bought online from Amazon or in-store at Sprout’s Farmers Markets.
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
