Moving the menu hero image with a plant-based burger.

Moving the Menu 2024: A Wake-Up Call for Restaurant Chains

Blog

By

Discover which major US restaurant chains are failing to embrace plant-based options.

You wouldn’t be alone in thinking that the largest US restaurant chains were finally starting to offer plant-based options—but regrettably, despite an urgent need to protect animals and our planet, our latest report shows otherwise. 

Moving the Menu 2024 offers a thorough evaluation of the top 25 chain restaurants in the US across five popular cuisine categories. The findings are concerning—there is a striking lack of options that are plant-based by default, and most chains have no commitment to address their resource-intensive, meat-centric menus.

Disappointing Scores Across the Board

Many leading restaurant chains are failing to provide adequate plant-based choices. Despite increasing consumer demand and the urgent planetary need for ethical and sustainable food, these chains have been slow to adapt. Implementing plant-based by default menus—where fully plant-based dishes are the primary choice without requiring modifications—is essential to creating a more sustainable and just food system.

While chains like Peet’s and Chipotle have made commendable efforts by introducing plant-based items, much work remains. The move away from factory farming and towards plant-rich diets is crucial, and there is still a chance for companies to lead this vital change.

A scorecard ranking the top US restaurant chains on their plant-based options (2024).

The Importance of Plant-Based by Default 

The report highlights the importance of plant-based by default menus. Offering fully plant-based dishes as the standard option, without the need for modifications, is key to encouraging consumers to easily identify and choose plant-based meals. This approach can significantly reduce the demand for factory-farmed animals and contribute to a more sustainable future. 

Take Action Now

Moving the Menu 2024 is an urgent call to action for both restaurants and consumers. By adopting plant-based by default options, we can drive the much-needed shift towards a more compassionate and healthy food system. 

To help you advocate for this change, we’ve created a toolkit that includes customer comment cards, corporate contact information, and sample messages to demand restaurants expand their plant-based offerings. By using these resources, you can actively promote humane and sustainable dining options.

Read the Full Report

More about