Blink-182 drummer and longtime vegan advocate Travis Barker is officially joining plant-based fast-food chain Mr. Charlie’s as an equity partner and brand ambassador, the company officially announced today, marking a major moment for the restaurant brand.
The news comes as the chain continues to expand beyond its home in Los Angeles, with expansion plans underway in Austin, Atlanta, “and many more under contract,” according to Mr. Charlie’s president Adam Wilks. These outposts will join existing locations in San Francisco, Sydney, and San Diego. According to the company, more than 25 locations have already been secured nationwide through franchise agreements.
The growth plans have been brewing for some time. In 2025, Mr. Charlie’s revealed an ambitious Arizona expansion deal that included plans for 18 new locations in the state.
“Arizona is still very much part of our growth plans and remains an important market for us,” Wilks said. “We continue to work closely with our franchise partners there and are excited about the long-term opportunity in the state as part of our broader national expansion strategy.”
Mr. Charlie’s
Travis Barker joins vegan fast-food chain Mr. Charlie’s
Barker’s involvement isn’t a surprise to eagle-eyed fans. Last week, VegNews first reported speculation around a possible collaboration after Mr. Charlie’s posted an Instagram Reel featuring Barker driving one of the company’s branded trucks. The restaurant did not immediately respond to VegNews’ inquiry at the time.
“Mr. Charlie’s isn’t just another food concept—it’s a movement,” said Barker. “What they’re building across food, culture, and community resonates with me. I’m excited to help take it to the next level.”
Why Mr. Charlie’s has become one of fast food’s most-celebrated restaurants
Known for its irreverent branding, celebrity following, and McDonald’s-inspired aesthetic, Mr. Charlie’s has carved out a distinctive lane in the increasingly crowded plant-based fast-food market. Since launching in Los Angeles in 2022, the company has attracted attention not just for its burgers, fries, and nuggets, but also for its community outreach efforts—including hiring initiatives focused on formerly incarcerated individuals and people recovering from addiction.
Ellen von Unwerth
The company says Barker’s longtime connection to the brand—and to plant-based living in general—made the partnership a natural fit. Barker, who has followed a vegetarian and largely vegan lifestyle for years, has previously collaborated with vegan-friendly brands including Daring (alongside his wife Kourtney Kardashian Barker), Monty’s Good Burger, and is a partner in VegNews’ Best Vegan Restaurant in America, Crossroads Kitchen. In 2022, he teamed up with Monty’s on a limited-edition oat milk matcha shake.
“This partnership came together naturally,” continued Wilks. “Travis has been a genuine supporter of the brand, and his values align with what we’re building.”
The Austin expansion, in particular, signals a growing appetite for vegan fast food in Texas, where plant-based concepts have increasingly gained traction in major cities like Austin and Dallas despite the state’s longstanding association with meat culture.
The Travis Barker partnership stands out at a time when plant-based fast-food brands have faced uneven growth and shifting consumer demand across the category, all while Mr. Charlie’s has continued to find traction through novelty, convenience, and a reliable fast-food-inspired model.
For more plant-based stories like this, read:
JUMP TO ... Latest News | Recipes | Guides | Health | Subscribe
