Chick-Fil-A becomes the latest fast-food chain to offer vegetarian, plant-based fare as it begins testing a cauliflower sandwich that is marinated, breaded, and served on a bun with pickles. The veggie sandwich is only available in 3 locations for now.
Chick-Fil-A introduces a new plant-based sandwich
Chick-Fil-A is jumping into the fray of offering plant-based cuisine with a new sandwich made from marinated, breaded cauliflower that is served on a bun with pickle slices and is very much like its popular chicken sandwich.
The company calls it a “one-of-a-kind entrée.”
The new cauliflower-based sandwich is similar to Chick-fil-A’s signature chicken sandwich. It starts with marinated cauliflower steak that is breaded, pressure-cooked, and then served on a bun with two pickle slices. As such, the cauliflower steak comes in a tender-style cut like a chicken patty.
The Atlanta-based company is testing the sandwich in three markets: Greensboro, North Carolina; Denver, Colorado; and Charleston, South Carolina.
Cauliflower was not the first plant-based fare that Chick-fil-A tested. It previously experimented with other vegetarian meat alternatives before settling on cauliflower, the company said, spectrum local news reported.
Company spent four years developing just the right sandwich
A lot of time, thought, and effort went into this vegetarian entrée. It all came about from guests to Chick-fil-A telling the company they sought to add more vegetables to their diet, the Associated Press reported.
“Guests told us they wanted to add more vegetables into their diets, and they wanted a plant-forward entrée that tasted uniquely Chick-fil-A,” said Leslie Neslage, the director of menu and packaging at Chick-fil-A, in a statement, Insider reported.
Chick-fil-A listened to its customers. They spent four years developing a plant-based solution, testing cauliflower, mushrooms, chickpeas and chopped vegetables formed into patties. However, they returned to cauliflower for its mild flavor.
Other fast-food chains experimenting with plant-based entrées
Burger King was the first to start the plant-based food options ball rolling when it debuted its “Impossible Whopper” in 201, which featured a plant-based burger made by “Impossible Foods.”
In 2020, Starbucks joined the fray with its “Impossible Sausage Sandwich.”
In 2021, McDonald’s joined the trend introducing it’s aptly named McPlant burger, which was developed with Beyond Meat, a rival to Impossible Foods. The vegetarian burger made its debut in the United Kingdom 2021, and was also offered at 600 locations in the US during summer 2022.
In 2022, KFC began offering Beyond Meat nuggets, but they were only offered for a limited time, the company said.
Even pizza makers are experimenting. Pizza Hut tested a vegan pepperoni made by Beyond Meat in 2021. They are no longer available.
Panda Express also experimented with a limited time plant-based chicken.
