Is there a market for Vegan Fast Food?

[StrayKat]

33. I think there is a market for this, and if that's your goal, you could potentially do very well.

I'm not trying to be rude, but I'm a bit confused about your goal. You seem to be very down on the health aspect of vegetarianism. Are you interested in getting more people to eat vegetarian because of animal rights? World hunger? Which goal of vegetarianism do you think 'health nut' veggers hurting?

Personally, I usually choose to go to vegetarian/vegan restaurants when I do go out, but I would be unlikely to patronize a place that only serves the fat and salt laden junk you're proposing. As I pointed out, I can easily get that already almost anywhere.

Some things that might be worth considering before completely discarding healthy options:

1. Although people go vegan/vegetarian for a variety of reasons including animal rights, economics, social concerns, poor cooking skills, and fashion, health reasons are still at the top of the list. Carrying only high salt, high fat items that "taste good" could alienate a considerable section of the market. Being the place that all members of a group can find something that suits their needs has advantages. Even though they are far from the most popular item, McDonald's keeps salads on the menu for a reason. Salads and oatmeal contribute to indirect sales.

2. If you hope to establish regular patrons, it might be wise to have a few items that are healthy enough to eat daily. The food you describe is often considered 'transitional food' by many long-term vegans and vegetarians. It has great appeal to people dabbling in vegetarianism and who may still crave bulky food with meaty texture or flavors, but often loses its appeal as people become more accustomed to the vegetarian foods and lifestyle.

3. Tasty doesn't have to mean unhealthy. In the same way that vegetable dishes can be made more appealing than meat dishes to meat eaters, so can lower salt and fat dishes be made more appealing to people who are unaware of their salt and fat consumption.

4. One of the biggest disappointments to me when I find vegetarian restaurants is to discover that their idea of vegetarian is "no meat" instead of "high veg". If "no meat" were really the only thing I were looking for, I could just hold the burger on the big Mac and pick the pepperoni off the pizza from the local take out.