Johnny Rockets Unveils Plant-Based Impossible Burger & Craig’s Vegan Shakes Across 80 Locations

Diner chain Johnny Rockets along with eight other restaurant concepts have launched new plant-based options for a limited period of time that include the Impossible Original burger, Craig’s Vegan Shakes, and dairy-free Daiya Cheddar Style Slices.

Owned by FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands, a global franchising company that owns nine restaurant brands and franchises over 700 units across the globe, Johnny Rockets is now offering consumers plant-based options in over 80 restaurant locations.

First established in 1986, the Johnny Rockets restaurant chain is now in the U.S. as well 25 countries around the world and offers classic American food. Its first location recently was taken over by vegan burger chain NoMoo that offers Impossible Burgers, vegan chicken sandwiches, fries, salads, and cashew-based milkshakes. 

To accommodate the growing demand for plant-based foods in the U.S., Johnny Rockets is now offering consumers a range of plant-based options: diners can order the Impossible Burger from the Silicon Valley company Impossible Foods, the plant-based ground beef alternative made without cows.

In addition, the diner chain will be offering dairy-free cheese Daiya Cheddar Style Slices on their burgers. Founded in 2008, Daiya was one of the first vegan cheese slice brands, though the company has now branched out into burritos and yogurt alternatives.

FAT Brands’ longstanding relationships with Impossible Foods, Daiya, and Craig’s Vegan has proven that these items integrate seamlessly into classic American menus, and we’re very happy to partner with brands that are centered around providing high-quality and great tasting products like we are

Andy Wiederhorn, CEO of FAT Brands

Diners can order vegan shakes offered by L.A. company Craig’s Vegan, the owner of which operated Craig’s restaurant that served steak to vegan specialties, however after receiving increasing non-dairy requests, he along with chef Kursten Kizer created Craig’s Vegan, a cashew-based frozen dessert line that offers popular flavors like ‘Kurstens PB Krunch’ and ‘Melrose Mint Chip. The shakes will be served with hand-scooped ice cream and topped with non-dairy whipped cream that comes in three classic johnny Rockets flavors – chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.

Wiederhorn added: “FAT Brands’ longstanding relationships with Impossible Foods, Daiya, and Craig’s Vegan has proven that these items integrate seamlessly into classic American menus, and we’re very happy to partner with brands that are centered around providing high-quality and great tasting products like we are. These product offerings have performed well to date at other concepts of ours, and we hope to incorporate as long-standing menu additions at Johnny Rockets as well.”

While the rollout is limited-time only for now, available throughout the summer, the company says they could become permanent menu items based on consumer feedback.

In a press release seen by Green Queen, CEO of FAT Brands, Andy Wiederhorn, said that one can’t ignore the fact that U.S. consumers are demanding sustainable and humane meal options: “The Johnny Rockets environment and menu delivers a piece of nostalgic Americana at locations around the globe. While that will always be the most evident and fun part of the Johnny Rockets experience, we also acknowledge the future, which is plant-based.”

Though Johnny Rockets is adding plant-based options for the first time, its parent company is all too familiar with the brands in this sector. Fast-food chain Fatburger, which is also owned by FAT Brands, which in 2017 became one of the first chains to include Impossible Burger in its menu and in 2019, expanded the plant-based option to include Daiya’s vegan cheddar. Furthermore, in 2019, as part of an agreement with Craig’, the chain added vegan vanilla and strawberry flavors to its milkshake offerings as well as dairy-free whipped cream. 

The new offerings are available at participating U.S. Johnny Rockets’ locations and can also be ordered online from select locations on the Johnny Rockets app or from the website.

Lead image courtesy of Johnny Rockets.