The world is going more plant-based—Panera included. The company recently announced its vegan, vegetarian, and plant-based customers are about to have a lot more to choose from. By 2021, the plan is to remove meat from half its menu with new plant-based options in every category.
“We already have strong credentials on plant-based. 25 percent of our menu items are plant-based. With just one customization, 60 percent of our menu is plant-based,” Niren Chaudhary, CEO of Panera, told Business Insider. “It’s better for you, better for the world, better for the environment, and better for animals. I think consumers are recognizing that.”
As Chaudhary said, right now Panera already has a good number of options for vegan, vegetarian, and plant-based eaters. You can order oatmeal, smoothies, and a handful of different bagels for breakfast, there are salads that can be vegan by omitting the meat and cheese, and there’s vegan soup and side options. And with this upcoming menu change, eating out is about to become even easier.