Why you need vegan chicken

In response to the soaring demand for plant-based chicken, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has produced “The PETA Guide to Vegan Fried Chicken”. Fresh from working with KFC and Nando’s to bring their successful vegan options to the table, PETA is now showing smaller takeaway businesses and street food vendors how to boost sales with on-trend plant-based fried chicken. The free guide (available here) offers menu inspiration, tips, and info on brands and suppliers.

The market for vegan food has seen explosive growth over the past few years, and it shows no signs of stopping. KFC has called the demand for its vegan chicken in the UK “unfathomable”. In the first three days of its trial launch, it sold at 500% the rate of the chain’s meat burger, and vegan product launches at KFC locations worldwide soon followed.

Even Tyson Foods, the world’s biggest chicken producer, is investing in plant-based chicken. Speaking about the move, CEO Tom Hayes said, “If you can’t beat them, join them.”  

The UK’s fastest-growing takeaway trend is vegan food, and operators without vegan options are missing out. From Greggs’ vegan sausage roll to expanding vegan ranges at supermarkets to plant-based street stalls, successful businesses adapt to the times. Entrepreneur Lord Alan Sugar has said that for companies today, diversifying to add vegan options is “how you remain in business”.

One of the many benefits of plant-based options is that they can be enjoyed by all, and the boom in vegan food sales is driven largely by meat-reducers, or flexitarians. According to Mintel, 65% of Brits eat plant-based meat. Deacon Rose, co-founder of London chain Coqfighter, said, “The popularity of our vegan range has gone beyond our wildest dreams. This isn’t vegan food just for vegans – it’s vegan food for everyone.”

Sir David Attenborough has said, “We must change our diet. The planet can’t support billions of meat-eaters.” And people are changing. Less than half of Generation Z (people under the age of 24) describe themselves as meat-eaters, and this figure keeps on growing.

There has never been a better time for businesses to add vegan options, and PETA’s free guide makes it easy. NCASS members can download “The PETA Guide to Vegan Fried Chicken for Takeaway Businesses” here.