The 2024 ProVeg Plant-Based-Friendly Fast-Food Franchise Ranking reveals a promising shift in the fast-food landscape of South Africa. This year’s ranking highlights an overall improvement in the industry compared to the past two years, signalling a growing recognition of the demand for healthier, sustainable dining choices, ProVeg South Africa stated.
According to Donovan Will, director of ProVeg South Africa, despite a challenging market environment, both in the food space generally and in the plant-based food sector specifically, significant avenues remain for quick-service restaurants to profit from opportunities created by the continued interest in plant-based offerings.
“These include attracting new customers, increasing the spend of existing customers, and highlighting commitments towards improving the health and sustainability of their ranges,” Will said.
These restaurants were awarded points based on the quantity and percentage of plant-based mains, sides, and desserts, as well as for the naming, labelling, and presentation of these items. Points were deducted for inaccurate labelling.
To qualify for the ranking, restaurants must meet the following criteria: offer full-portion breakfast, lunch, or dinner options; have outlets in multiple provinces in South Africa; operate more than 50 outlets nationally; maintain a standardised national menu; and provide a takeaway menu that includes most standard menu items for collection or delivery.
So who are the top five?
1. Simply Asia
Simply Asia secured the top spot in the 2024 ranking, with 19.8 points, moving up from second place in 2023. The franchise, ProVeg said, excels with its plant-based menu, offering a wide range of options that span different meal categories, such as Thai-inspired noodle and rice dishes, along with several sushi choices.
“Simply Asia leads the way in terms of labelling and menu presentation, seamlessly integrating plant-based options into their overall menu to cater to all consumers while also creating a separate menu for plant-based customers.
“They set an exemplary standard by using tofu as a plant-based hero ingredient, which can be easily substituted for meat across all their dishes, demonstrating the simplicity of incorporating vegan alternatives into meals,” ProVeg said.
2. Kauai
Kauai ranked second this year, boasting a range of plant-based breakfasts, warm meals, salad bowls, wraps, and smoothies. Notable new additions to their 2024 menu include the Tropical Greens smoothie and several new plant-based warm bowl options for the winter period, such as the Laksa Noodle Bowl and Thai Butternut Lentil Soup.
Kauai also scored well in terms of labelling and menu presentation, catering to a broad audience, not just vegans and vegetarians.
“Their straightforward approach to menu-item descriptions — such as ‘Avo Falafel Salad’ and ‘No Bull Burger’ — is aimed at attracting a wider customer base than just those with specific dietary requirements,” ProVeg said.
In addition, the integration of their plant-based choices with non-plant-based options encourages omnivore consumers to opt for plant-based offerings more frequently.
3. Panarottis
Panarottis maintained their third-place position in the ranking, with 14.3 points. The expansion of their plant-based options is extremely impressive and is leagues ahead of any other Italian-style QSR in the country.
Panarottis offers a variety of plant-based main and side dishes, including pizzas and pasta that feature excellent meat-analogue products as well as vegan cheese. This selection makes it easy for flexitarian and plant-based consumers to choose familiar options that are healthier and more environmentally friendly, without compromising on flavour.
Panarottis has also introduced several new plant-based side dishes, such as vegan mozzarella & caramelised onion flatbread, avo del pollo with plant-based chicken strips, a crumbed veg stack, and a vegan chicken chopped salad, among others.
Global research reveals that integrating plant-based options into the main menu rather than placing them under a separate heading encourages a far broader consumer base to choose these items. Panarottis should consider developing this kind of approach to menu positioning.
4. Nando’s
Nando’s placed fourth with 13.2 points. The franchise offers a variety of plant-based dishes, including the Great Pretender range*, which features chicken-style plant-based meat, alongside other veg options comprised primarily of vegetables (rather than meat alternatives).
While their Great Pretender range is mostly plant-based, a few options include mayonnaise and cheese. Their “veg” range is predominantly vegetarian, with several plant-based choices. Nando’s also excels in describing its menu items, using enticing phrases like “saucy plant-based protein in a flavour of your choice”.
More consistent use of terminology, clearly distinguishing between plant-based and vegetarian options, as well as improving ingredient labelling, would result in a higher score. Despite initial concerns, Nando’s Peri Peri sauce is indeed plant-based. By considering a small number of simple ingredient switches, Nando’s could significantly enhance and increase its selection of plant-based offerings.
5. Spur
From sixth place in 2023, this year sees Spur move back into the top five of the ranking with 9.9 points. With the introduction of its new vegan-friendly breakfast, Spur has expanded its selection of already extensive plant-based menu options.
Spur excels in its labelling and menu positioning by integrating plant-based items into the main menu. This brand has become synonymous with crafting compelling descriptions that significantly enhance the appeal of their plant-based options.
To further enhance their plant-based options, Spur could include such options on kids’ menus, thus attracting health-conscious parents and caregivers who would appreciate having options that align with their values and dietary preferences, allowing them to enjoy the restaurant chain’s offerings with peace of mind.
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