Burger King's Vegan Chicken Sandwich, Caramel Apple Soda, And More Plant-based Food News

If you’ve been in denial that summer is over and fall is here, this week’s food news won’t help you. Sorry. However, if you’re ready to slip on your knee-high boots, break out your favorite scarf, and step on some crunchy leaves, you’re going to be very happy.

This week, we’ve got updates on multiple new fall-inspired drinks, as well as a vegan egg giveaway, news about the world’s first vegan gas station, and an exciting new fast-food menu item.

Olipop's new soda is perfect for fall fans who don't love coffee. | Olipop

Olipop’s new Caramel Apple soda is “autumn in a can”

It’s September, which means fall-inspired lattes are everywhere (don’t get us started on Starbucks’ lack of vegan Pumpkin Spice Lattes, though). But if coffee isn’t your thing—or you just want a break from caffeine without missing out on those cozy fall flavors—Olipop has just the thing. Its new Caramel Apple flavor is “unmistakably autumn in a can,” according to the brand.

Like the rest of Olipop’s lineup, the prebiotic soda is low in sugar, high in fiber, and packed with flavor. Grab it now at retailers across the country, including Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods.

Just Egg is fluffier and more egg-like than ever before. | Eat Just

The newest version of Just Egg is here

Just Egg 6.0 has arrived. Yep, since its initial launch in 2017, Eat Just has continuously upgraded its signature mung bean-based vegan egg mix, and now we’re on the sixth edition. According to the brand, it’s fluffier and creamier than ever, but made with even fewer ingredients.

When we tried it for ourselves, we realized the brand wasn’t playing around. It really is lighter and more egg-like than ever before (and it barely sticks to the pan, which is a major win).

Want to try it, too? Good news: We’re hosting a giveaway. You can find all the details on how to enter here—just make sure to get involved by midnight on Monday, September 14, for a chance to win!

Califia Farms

Califia Farms' fall lineup is better than ever

If you want to make your own seasonal coffee at home, it’s easier than ever. Just look at Califia Farms’ fall lineup, for example. The brand is bringing back its popular Simple & Organic Pumpkin Spice Almond Creamer, Simple & Organic Holiday Spice Almond Creamer, and Thanksgiving-ready Holiday Nog.

Plus, it’s introducing two new products: Simple Horchata Almond Creamer and Simple Peppermint Bark Almond Creamer. The latter is infused with rich white chocolate flavor for an extra-indulgent seasonal sip.

Meet Your Besties At The Crossroads will be serving up vegan meatball parmigiana. | Crossroads Kitchen 

Besties Vegan Paradise and Crossroads Kitchen team up for LA brunch

Do you want to Meet Your Besties At The Crossroads? If so, all you need to do is head to Crossroads Kitchen in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 12. Okay, you need more details. We’ve got you. Meet Your Besties At The Crossroads is a new collaborative brunch from Crossroads Kitchen and Besties Vegan Paradise.

The restaurant will be serving up a meatball parmigiana inspired by Besties and created by Crossroads Kitchen chef Tal Ronnen. Plus, Besties will be hosting a pop-up outside the restaurant. Head to Crossroads Kitchen’s Melrose Avenue location from 10:30am to 2:30pm to get involved.

Fysh Foods specializes in plant-based, sushi-grade tuna. | Fysh Foods

New York restaurant group acquires popular vegan sushi brand

City Roots Hospitality, a New York-based restaurant group led by chef Guy Vaknin, has acquired Fysh Foods. The plant-based raw fish brand was founded in 2022 to provide sushi-grade vegan seafood, such as tuna, salmon, and yellowtail, to the restaurant industry. In 2024, it appeared on Shark Tank, but although founder Zoya Biglary accepted a deal on the show, she ultimately didn't follow through, and Fysh Foods has remained independent until now.

The new deal with City Roots Hospitality means Fysh Foods' sushi will be available only at the group's restaurants in New York City. "The most important thing a founder should know is when to let someone else take the wheel. Chef Vaknin has the momentum, experience, and team needed to catapult Fysh Foods to the next level," said Biglary. "I can't wait to watch it happen." 

Vegan gas station Hangry Planet used to be operated by Shell. | Hangry Planet 

The first vegan gas station just sold for over $12 million

Four years after it opened, Hangry Planet has sold for more than $12 million. The unique San Bruno, CA business used to be a Shell gas station, but in 2023, owner Bobak Bakhtiari decided to transform it into a 100-percent plant-based gas station. Two years earlier, he had switched the adjoining convenience store to an entirely vegan inventory.

“I felt like, with a high-traffic, junk-food milieu of convenience stores, it’s the perfect environment to help educate and transform people’s habits,” Bakhtiari told CBS.

It turned out to be a smart move. Bakhtiari also told CBS that after an initial dip, sales increased following the switch. And ultimately, he managed to sell Hangry Planet for millions more than he ever expected.

Plant-based crispy chicken has landed at Burger King Austria. | Burger King Austria 

Burger King just launched plant-based crispy chicken—but there’s a catch

When it comes to mainstream fast-food chains, Burger King is a pretty reliable choice for people seeking out meatless and plant-based options. In the US, there’s the Impossible Whopper, for example, while the UK has the Vegan Royale and the Plant-Based Whopper.

Now, the fast-food giant has added another plant-based option to its repertoire: Plant-Based Crispy Chicken. There’s a catch, though. It’s only available in Austria.

Still, if you find yourself in the Central European country, you can order the new limited-edition chicken-free chicken in three different ways: the Plant-Based Crispy Chicken sandwich, the Plant-Based Double Crispy Chicken sandwich, or the Plant-Based Crispy Chicken Wrap.

The US next? Pretty please.