McDonald’s will axe nearly all of the vegetarian options from its menu next week due to poor sales of meat-free meals.
The fast food chain has revealed that it will stop selling Veggie Dippers, Veggie Dipper Happy Meals, Spicy Veggie Wraps and Vegetable Deluxe sandwiches in a decision which has left vegetarians furious.
The only plant-based product which they will continue to serve is the vegan McPlant Burger, an offering which McDonald’s says remains popular.
A spokesperson for the company said this week: ‘We’re always listening to our customers to help inform and evolve our menu. After reviewing feedback, alongside the sales data of our Veggie Dippers, it’s clear this product does not match the appeal of McPlant for our vegetarian customers.
‘That’s why we’ve made the decision to remove them from the menu from February 3, as we focus on developing better vegetarian options that meet our high standards.
‘While McPlant remains a firm fan favourite and will continue to be the go-to choice for our vegetarian and vegan customers, we recognise these changes may be disappointing for some.
‘We are actively learning from other markets to understand which vegetarian and vegan options are proving most popular and exploring exciting new offerings that we know customers will love.’
It is understood that poor sales led to the majority of McDonald’s vegan meals being axed, though the company has decided to reintroduce one popular burger.
The Chicken Big Mac will be making a return with a new offering of Pizza Mozzarella Dippers set to be announced.
But vegetarian McDonald’s customers have been left incredibly disappointed. Jennifer Powell, 32, said that she feels that she has been ‘treated as an afterthought.’
‘As a non-meat eater, I’m genuinely shocked,’ she fumed. ‘We are being targeted. McDonald’s obviously no longer wants us as customers.
‘Quite why a considerate, modern firm based on every high street is now treating vegetarians like an afterthought and a nuisance is a mystery.
‘They clearly view us as second-class citizens, and I will be rethinking my fast food choices.’
News of the menu shake-up comes on the same day that McDonald’s announced a brand new collaboration with Warner Bros and, more specifically, their franchise Friends.
A new limited-time meal, to be sold from February 3, will see customers offered a Friends figurine of Ross, Chandler, Joey, Rachel, Phoebe or Monica when they buy a Big Mac, nine McNuggets or McPlant meal.
The collaboration has also seen McDonald’s update its packaging, with a new dip called Monica’s Marinara to be introduced.
Chicken and Chicken McNuggets Shareboxes will be sold in packages featuring Joey and the New York skyline, while McCafe cups have also had a Central Perk-themed makeover.
