Travis Barker becomes latest celeb to invest in 'vegan McDonald's' chain

Blink-182’s Travis Barker has followed in the footsteps of a famous boxing champ and a two-time WWE Hall of Famer by funnelling his cash into a so-called ‘vegan’ alternative to McDonald’s.

Having been a vegetarian since he was 13, 50-year-old Baker officially ceased consuming and using animal-based products after surviving a plane crash in 2008.

“The vegan diet has shown to have amazing benefits like increased sexual arousal for men and woman,” he claimed in a 2024 interview with Food & Wine. “When I changed my diet to vegan, I noticed better endurance, and I had higher energy. I love to eat Violife before I go running.”

In early May, it was reported that the musician, who also abstains from alcohol, had invested in a plant-based fast-food chain with big plans to expand.

The joint, headed by president Adam Wilks, has cast Barker as its official ambassador as well as its equity partner.

The father-of-three called it ‘a movement’, rather than ‘another food concept’.

“What they’re building across food, culture, and community resonates with me. I’m excited to help take it to the next level,” he said, as per VegNews.

The restaurant chain, known for its McDonald’s-inspired aesthetic, launched in California back in 2022 and currently has locations in Brentwood, San Francisco, San Diego, and Sydney, Australia.

The vegan fast-food disruptor, known as Mr. Charlie’s, is a quick-service chain with pipeline plans to branch outside its native state.

According to reports, it has 18 stores planned for Arizona alone.

Wilks also claimed the brand was planning a flagship in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego, as well as building an outpost in Austin, Texas.

“We are really excited about continued international growth opportunities being negotiated. We’re being very strategic with expansion and focusing on markets where the brand culture, community engagement, and demand for better fast food alternatives align with what Mr. Charlie’s represents,” the businessman told SFGATE.

“We believe consumers are actively looking for something different from traditional fast food, not just from a food standpoint, but from a brand and culture standpoint as well. Mr. Charlie’s has built a strong identity that combines great tasting plant based food, a disruptive and recognizable brand, and a mission driven message around second chances and community involvement.”

Other celebrities involved with Mr. Charlie’s

Barker’s involvement comes after Mike Tyson, the former undisputed world heavyweight champion, invested in Mr. Charlie’s in 2024.

The 59-year—old, who adopted a plant-based, vegan diet in 2010, said he was a fan of the chain, which is famed for its ‘Not a Cheeseburger’ and ‘Not a Chicken Sandwich’.

“Mr. Charlie’s mission to help and hire those from the homeless community is something that I am truly passionate about, and I look forward to helping many people and communities with the expansion of Mr. Charlie’s across the globe,” he said.

The legendary Ric Flair, a former professional wrestler and father to 14-time world champion Charlotte Flair, is also an investor in Mr. Charlie’s via his brand management company, Carma HoldCo.

“Ric brings a larger-than-life persona that resonates with our audience,” Wilks said.

“His legacy in the sports and entertainment world is massive, and having him on board with the brand is a perfect fit for reaching new customers who connect with his iconic status.”

Mr. Charlie’s can also count Lizzo as a fan, with the ‘Juice’ singer having uploaded a now-viral taste test to TikTok.

What does Mr. Charlie’s sell

Like McDonald’s, Mr. Charlie’s specialises in fast-food items including burgers, fries, and meat-free nuggets.

On the menu right now, there’s a ‘Mr. Chuck’ - made with two plant-based burger pattys, vegan cheese, lettuce, pickles, diced onion and sauce - and a Mr. FluffHead, a frozen dessert that resembles a McFlurry.

The Mr. Royale with cheese, a quarter-pounder with cheese, pickles, onions, mustard and ketchup, sits alongside the Mr Sunday, a chicken-free burger with cheese, lettuce, and tomato, and ‘Frowny Fries’.

Speaking about the chain’s offerings, Wilks claimed: “We're offering plant based, zero trans fat, low-cholesterol options for people who want something better for their bodies.”

Brit says they ‘definitely need’ a Mr. Charlie’s in the UK

Earlier this year, two TikTokers whipped British food fans into a frenzy by showing off their Mr. Charlie’s orders.

Liam and Janine Day, known as Those Happy Dayz on social media, headed into the brand, claiming it looked ‘exactly like a McDonald's, with red and yellow and fast food screens everywhere, but everything here is plant-based’.

"Vegan burgers, vegan chicken nuggets, vegan fries, even a vegan McFlurry. It even feels like the real McDonald's inside.”

They claimed that the plant-based nuggets were ‘the most life-like’ they had ever had, and that the burgers were ‘better’ than its meaty rival.

“The UK really needs a Mr. Charlie's. In fact, every city in the world needs one of these,” the content creators added.

One TikTok user commented: “Omg we definitely need these in the UK.”

Another said: “I have never been so jealous.”

“There's an awesome vegan fast food franchise in Canada called Odd Burger,” someone else gushed.

Meanwhile, a fourth said: “That's awesome I google it, and a few locations came up Mr.Charlie’s. glad to see its expanding.”