Chain dubbed 'Vegan McDonald's' announces major expansion plans

It’s scarcely been a better time to be a fast food fan, with no end of chains offering everything you can possibly fry popping up around the UK.

Dave’s Hot Chicken, Carl’s Jr, Hooters and the newly-opened Fat Phill’s diner are just a handful of brands that have been imported to these shores, joining the already well-stocked range we’ve got on our high streets.

If this trend is anything to go by, one chain that we’ve yet to see in Britain could well make the leap sometime in the future. For now, it’s just announced a huge US expansion, with the ‘vegan McDonald’s’ having already seen success in California.

Mr Charlie’s is the chain in question, with 18 new outlets planned for Arizona. The first will open in Scotsdale later this year, with Access Group Capital overseeing the brand’s expansion.

Patrick Lam, a developer at Access Group Capital, described the planned outlets as ‘hubs of community, second chances, and delicious food’.

“As an Arizonan, I’m proud to help redefine what fast food looks like in the state,” he continued.

The first Mr Charlie’s opened in 2022, with the Los Angeles branch proving to be a big hit with the locals. As you might have guessed from the ‘vegan McDonald’s’ moniker, Mr Charlie’s features similar branding principles to Ronald’s eateries that extend to its own riff on the Happy Meal: the Frowny Meal.

Its vegan menu runs the full gauntlet of fast food staples, including burgers, fries, nuggets and more, and the brand has conducted some pretty commendable charity work alongside LA’s Dream Center. The charity focuses on helping the homeless and ex-prisoners seeking work, with Mr Charlie’s having hired many such people on salaries above the minimum wage.

“We don’t just hire staff – we provide second chances for people who have been overlooked by a broken system,” says a statement on Mr Charlie’s website.

“Our restaurants are built on love and inclusivity, creating spaces where everyone feels welcome. We’ve built our reputation on this foundation, helping to rebuild lives, one meal at a time.”

The second store in its lineup was opened in San Francisco in 2023, and it’s made the leap across the Pacific for a store in Sydney, Australia.

“Mr. Charlie’s has already proven that purpose and profitability can go hand-in-hand in the QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) space,” said president Adam Wilks, president at Mr Charlie’s.

“With our Arizona expansion and future growth plans, we aim to continue combining delicious plant-based options with meaningful social impact.”

Who knows? Maybe we’ll see it vying for your hunger pangs on a street in London sometime soon.