In Honor of World Vegetarian Day, Here’s a Look at Some Vegetarian and Vegan Franchise Opportunities
Fast-food franchises aren’t just for meat lovers. These days, vegetarians and vegans can find plenty of options, too. To celebrate World Vegetarian Day 2022, we take a look at some of the top vegetarian and vegan franchises.
World Vegetarian Day was established in 1977 by the North American Vegetarian Society. The International Vegetarian Union then endorsed the holiday in 1978. Another fun fact to know is that October is the start of Vegetarian Awareness Month. In addition to increased animal welfare and decreased environmental impact, vegetarianism or veganism – a diet with no animal products at all – is also good for your health.
Businesses can benefit greatly from offering vegan and vegetarian options, and franchises have sprung up as a result. But how can franchise businesses ensure this is not just a trend and celebrate the holiday?
Vegetarianism and Franchising
Americans have largely accepted the growing trend toward meat and dairy substitutes. According to Statista, the U.S. is far ahead of the world in terms of plant-based meat consumption, and the milk substitute market is expected to be worth more than $3.1 billion by 2025. Franchised brands like VeganBurg and Souley Vegan are leveraging this trend and are promoting healthy lifestyles while selling great products. These products and lifestyle changes have positive health and environmental impacts including:
- Reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke and more
- Mitigation of the pollution that comes from animal agriculture
- Decreased greenhouse gas emissions
- Conservation of limited resources, such as water and topsoil
- Preservation of ecosystems that would otherwise become extinct
As you can see, the positive impacts of vegetarianism are vast. But is a vegan or vegetarian franchise worth the investment? Here are some vegan or vegetarian franchises to consider.
VeganBurg
It’s World Vegetarian Day everyday at VeganBurg. The vegan franchise was founded in 2010 by Alexander Tan, a passionate foodie from Singapore. The concept for VeganBurg came about when Tan read a report about the environmental impacts of livestock. Candidates who are interested in the 100% plant-based burger joint should enjoy working with others, following a system, and promoting sustainability and plant-based food options. Franchisees benefit from great support and training, ongoing product research and development, and more. With two hotspot locations in San Francisco and Singapore, the vegetarian franchise is looking to expand with quality and qualified franchise partners.
Daily Veg
The Daily Veg franchise is a combination of two growing niche markets: vegan burgers and milkshakes with acai bowls and smoothies. The Delaware-based franchisor also offers plant-based wraps, chicken sandwiches, and more. Prospective candidates should be motivated, customer service oriented entrepreneurs. Veterans are incentivized with a discount on the initial franchise fee, which is $35,000. Prospective candidates have an all-in investment of between $301,000 – $531,000.
Souley Vegan
The Souley Vegan franchise was founded in 2009 by Tamearra Dyson, a chef, vegan restaurateur, and educator. Dyson, a lifelong vegan, conceived of the Souley Vegan concept when she decided to leave the medical profession to pursue her passion of cooking. The vegan brand’s menu has a wide selection of vegan salads, burgers, drinks, and more. In addition to a full bar and dine-in options, franchisees can add online orders, delivery, and catering. The California-based company prides itself on its welcoming and inclusive culture.
Copper Branch
Copper Branch is a restaurant franchise known for its delicious vegan options. The restaurant franchise was founded with the goal of serving communities with quality whole food options while fostering community and inclusion. Copper Branch sources its ingredients as sustainably as possible and is always looking for ways to reduce its carbon footprint. Its name is inspired by its mission and values. Copper reflects the quality of the brand’s food while branch manifests its commitment to community and the environment. Ideal candidates don’t need prior business experience and should value customer service and following a system. Franchisees are provided with support and training from Copper Branch’s Canadian-based parent company, Foodtastic. Copper Branch has locations throughout North America.
Vegan Fine Foods
The Vegan Fine Foods name says it all; everything from the brand is 100% vegan and plant-based. But even though vegan is in the franchise’s name, people of all dietary backgrounds can enjoy its products. The vegan franchise has three parts to it: Vegan Fine Café; Vegan Fine Foods, a grocery store; and Vegan Fine Body, which offers health and beauty products. The Florida-based franchise was founded by Dr. Steven Smith, who opened the first Vegan Fine Foods location in 2018. After receiving inquiries regarding the business from across the country, Dr. Smith decided to franchise the vegan concept. Ideal candidates have the ability to follow a system and can support an investment that ranges from $95,900 – $458,500 depending on the model.
Stand-Up Burgers
Stand-Up Burgers offers 100% vegan options. In addition to 100% plant-based burgers, Stand-Up Burgers has limited-time offerings on milkshakes, salads, sandwiches, and more. Ideal franchisee candidates are entrepreneurial and embrace the plant-based movement. They should bring prior business experience to the role. The quick-service restaurant franchise offers multi-unit deals with ongoing support and training. The burger franchise has flexible site requirements, and qualified candidates need a net worth of at least $350,000. The estimated initial investment is between $632,000 to $1.1 million.
Smoothie Factory
Burger joints aren’t the only franchise businesses that offer vegan or vegetarian options. For example, Smoothie Factory is a juice bar franchise with vegan and vegetarian options. The juice franchise was founded by Olympic athlete James Villasana in 1996. He came up with the juice concept as a way to fuel his body with the highest quality ingredients. The juice brand’s menu offers a wide variety of smoothies with fruits and vegetables, natural options for sweeteners, and vegan and non-dairy substitutes. While its demographics do include athletes, people from all backgrounds who desire a healthier lifestyle can enjoy Smoothie Factory’s products. The juice franchise has locations in Texas and throughout the country. Locations are usually located in high-traffic areas near gyms, and franchisees can sell nutritional supplements to drive profitability.
