I had the opportunity to sit down with Mike Jones, Managing Director of Campaigns at Change.org, who was at McDonald’s recent shareholders’ meeting in Dallas, TX. Mike was given the opportunity to ask a question on behalf of 216,582 people regarding when McDonald’s plans to join the rest of their competitors in the fast-food world by adding a plant-based protein to the menu.
They acknowledged they are keeping a close eye on the development of the trend, but, in a press release from Change.org, petitioners “were left disappointed by McDonald’s lack of commitment to introducing a plant-based burger.” For about two years now, we’ve watched McDonald’s, the world’s largest fast-food chain, sit on the sidelines of this shift as companies like Carl’s Jr., White Castle, Del Taco, Subway, Burger King, and now even Little Caesars Pizza adapted to consumer demand and did the right thing.
I got chills when Mike said that because it’s a bold but incredibly true statement that reflects the power of the plant-based movement currently. And while we may not have gotten the answer we wanted, McDonald’s is on record as having acknowledged the trend and spoken to its relevance to its future business, and that is a small win. We’re still in the game and, according to Mike, this campaign isn’t going away.
Stay on the lookout for the full interview, coming soon.
