Coffee giant Starbucks has confirmed it will launch a plant-based breakfast patty in both the United States and Canada this year.
The chain, which recently announced it will push consumers towardsâ choosing vegan milk as part of a drive to become more sustainable, also said it was âmigrating toward a more environmentally friendly menuâ.
According to Animal Outlook, Starbucks COO Roz Brewer said: âWe will be introducing a breakfast sandwich this year with a plant-based patty both in US and Canada, and the combination of those pairings is significant for us in terms of how we think about what the customers [are] asking for us to develop.â
âMassive opportunityâ
The brand did not comment on what plant-based supplier it will use, but an online petition urging Starbucks to offer Beyond Meatâs vegan sausage exceeded 19,000 signatures.
âStarbucks is missing a massive opportunity by not acting on the plant-based meat trend now,â the petition reads.
âThere is a large and growing consumer demand for the Beyond Sausage and Starbucks is behind the times in not offering plant-based options in a year when 39 percent of consumers in the United States say they are actively trying to incorporate more plant-based foods into their diet.â