A British couple visiting the United States was pleasantly surprised to discover a vegan McDonald’s in San Francisco, California. Liam and Janine Day, known as Those Happy Days on social media, often share their global travel experiences. In a TikTok video, Janine pointed out a McDonald’s and then a neighboring business resembling it but entirely plant-based.
Liam commented in the video, expressing his amazement at the vegan McDonald’s concept. The restaurant they visited, Mr. Charlie’s, mimics the typical McDonald’s ambiance with red and yellow décor and fast-food displays, but serves solely plant-based items. They praised the vegan burgers, chicken nuggets, fries, and McFlurry for their resemblance to traditional McDonald’s offerings.
Impressed by their experience, Liam advocated for the introduction of Mr. Charlie’s in the UK and worldwide. Although Mr. Charlie’s design and color scheme bear similarities to McDonald’s, it is an independent establishment with locations in California and Australia, offering plant-based alternatives to classic McDonald’s items.
The couple highlighted their astonishment in the video description, emphasizing the realistic taste of the vegan options at Mr. Charlie’s. They urged the UK to welcome Mr. Charlie’s and asked their audience if they would try a fully vegan McDonald’s.
According to vegan business website vegconomist, Mr. Charlie’s, dubbed the ‘vegan McDonald’s’, opened its first branch in 2022 and has gained popularity for its offerings. While expanding to Australia, plans for future locations in New Zealand and Singapore are in progress, with no confirmation yet on a UK establishment.
