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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think that McDonalds need to up their vegan game

513 replies

Hiphopopotamus · 02/01/2020 19:36

As a vegan the start of veganuary is always really exciting when all the new companies bring out their vegan stuff - this year seems to be particularly great - Greggs have brought the vegan steak bake, kfc have their vegan burger and McDonald’s....well they’ve taken the horrible goujon things they have in their veggie burger, sold them separately and marketed them as a new vegan meal! Grin AIBU to think that they need to seriously up their game?

OP posts:
CactusAndCacti · 02/01/2020 21:06

I find it puzzling that others think I am up in arms or bothered by what others eat, I just struggle to understand why McDonald's is seen as a must go to place.

It’s ridiculous really; can you imagine the omnis screeching if there was only one thing on the menu for them? Burger in a bun with lettuce, burger in a wrap with lettuce, burger chopped into strips with dip. Yeah that would go down well!

Well, I wouldn't go there. I am a really fussy eater (lots of food related anxiety) and so know where I am happy going and what I will have. If I am not, I won't go.

Pinkflipflop85 · 02/01/2020 21:06

Yes....where is the decaf coffee?!

Beadstar · 02/01/2020 21:06

I’m vegetarian and think the goujon burgers are awful. The rest of my family are meat eaters so we go there occasionally. There would be more demand for vegetarian food there if they made a decent option.

LemonPrism · 02/01/2020 21:06

@@@londonrach a burger place that also sells nuggets, wraps, salads, desserts, chicken sandwiches? Why it appears not to just be a burger place anymore. Oh and they could still make a vegan burger?

BathshebaKnickerStickers · 02/01/2020 21:06

I’ve dipped in and out of vegetarianism all my life.

Last time was a few years ago. I ate quorn.

I discovered I’m anaphylactic to quorn.

Gregg’s don’t tell you their vegan sausage roll is mycoprotein because the Quorn organisation have trademarks on it.

I suspect their steak slice is the same

But they won’t pay quorn to say it’s quorn

And the same could be said about all vegan alternatives by me.

So no matter what shop there is, I can’t risk trying th it as their labelling is misleading

Purpletigers · 02/01/2020 21:06

I doubt very much that McDonalds care about vegans . It’s a very small percentage of the population who do .
What are the environmental reasons for being vegan ? You do know that almond milk production is having huge negative effects in California where it is produced . Locally sourced and grass fed meat is more environmentally sound that vegetables / soy protein / almond milk that has been flown half way around the world .

TimeAfterTimeAfter · 02/01/2020 21:09

Re the hostility, for me it's comments like how other businesses are "doing their best to adapt" (to what? What you want?) and "they need to up their game", implying that there is some imperative for a business that has a pretty clear model, in a country where there are many many choices for eating out and in the context that eating out is far from a necessity anyway, to change that model. I mean, maybe any fast food place that doesn't offer vegan food will go to the wall, maybe it would make business sense for them to vary their menu. But honestly, why would you care? Other than that you are pissed off that there exists a business that doesn't appeal to you and you think that they should change what they're doing to suit you.

pourmeanotherglass · 02/01/2020 21:13

For those wondering why a vegan would go to Mcdonalds- DD1 is a vegan teen who likes meeting up with friends, and sometimes the friends want to go to places that are not very vegan.

Legocitymyarse · 02/01/2020 21:14

Burger King fry their halloumi burger with meat. Well the one near me does as I asked.

TimeAfterTimeAfter · 02/01/2020 21:16

Well shit the bed, whoever thought that when you restrict your diet you restrict the places you can eat out in. A situation that is neither fatal nor discriminatory.

Gingerkittykat · 02/01/2020 21:19

I agree the Mcdonalds goujons are horrible and wish they would bring back the old veggie burger.

They used to have a really nice veggie wrap too with actual vegetables in a spicy sauce.

Burger King's bean burger is still the same as it has always been, it has cheese on top and I'm not sure if the actual burger is vegan.

QuestionableMouse · 02/01/2020 21:21

Honestly we sell hardly any veggie or vegan stuff. I sold one (1) veggie on my shift yesterday and I was in from 12-9. I bet we sell under 20 of each item on a normal day. The range is slowly expanding but to be honest the company isn't going to spend millions on developing a new burger (or whatever) for the stock to go to waste. Stores also only have so much room in the freezer so having a product there that isn't selling is doubly a waste when that space could be used by something that will sell.

Septembe66 · 02/01/2020 21:22

Why do vegans think everyone should go out of their way to cater for them. You choose to be vegan and if you’re so worried about not eating any animal products then don’t eat there.

QuestionableMouse · 02/01/2020 21:24

@1Morewineplease the meat isn't any more processed than the burgers or chicken nuggets you'd buy in the supermarket. The fries are made by McCain in Scarborough, for example. It's just food.

elmosducks · 02/01/2020 21:25

@Septembe66 aren't you a little delight?

Majorcollywobble · 02/01/2020 21:26

Yes ! Those veggie go Ujina are utterly vile . And when I complained they couldn’t actually tell me the contents .

Majorcollywobble · 02/01/2020 21:26

Sorry veggie goujons

WellErrr · 02/01/2020 21:27

Well shit the bed, whoever thought that when you restrict your diet you restrict the places you can eat out in. A situation that is neither fatal nor discriminatory.

Yup Grin

RollingOutOfBed · 02/01/2020 21:28

If you work for McDonalds, QuestionableMouse I'm not surprised that you don't sell many because they're terrible. I eat meat but often order vegetarian/vegan options when out and love vegetable burgers, but the new vegetarian/vegan option is terrible. There certainly seems to be sufficient demand in other restaurants or they wouldn't be producing so many new vegan options.

Heismyopendoor · 02/01/2020 21:28

Some people seem a little confused as to what a vegan is. A vegan is a person who does not eat, wear or use anything that comes from an animal.

To be a vegan, you do not need only to exist on a wholefood plant based diet. You can eat vegan junk. Like crisps, chips, Oreos, deep fried food, veggie burgers, faux steak bakes etc.

Some people also seem confused about the op being a vegan and yet going to McDonald’s. why would she go there? Why would she support a business that also sells meat and dairy products. As pointed out, that would be nearly every supermarket, coffee place, fast food outlet, petrol station and restaurant in the uk. Where else would she shop and eat? She has to eat funnily enough! She has to buy groceries, toiletries, fuel. Where else would she get them from? Someone mentioned whole foods, even that still sells animal products!

Also some mention why would you want fake meat, a burger, a sausage, etc? Well why not? I’m sure the op and lots of other vegans, enjoyed the taste and texture of a chicken burger from kfc, but not the cruelty or death. So if they can have something that tastes like something they enjoy, but not cause any cruelty then why not?

Op, I’ve not tried the ‘new’ offerings from McDonald’s, I do like the kids meal wrap they offer though. I’m surprised at the lack of options from them, it’s not that hard to buy some impossible style burgers and violife slices.

QuestionableMouse · 02/01/2020 21:28

@PurpleDaisies

You should be able to get a veggie burger and fries for £1.99 if you do the food for thought survey printed at the top of every receipt. Some stores might be shitty about it but it's part of the deal and we'd honour it in my store.

Eustacecraig · 02/01/2020 21:28

except McDonald’s who clearly give no shits

In a guilty way, I can't help admire their totally unapologetic refusal to join in.

PurpleDaisies · 02/01/2020 21:29

I don’t think you meant me @QuestionableMouse

WireBrushAndDettolMaam · 02/01/2020 21:29

Maybe vegan restaurants should up their meat game.

PurpleDaisies · 02/01/2020 21:30

In a guilty way, I can't help admire their totally unapologetic refusal to join in.

Except they haven’t refused to join in. They’ve produced a rubbish vegan meal with nasty gouging.