Burger King has a long history of offering vegetarian and vegan options on their menu. The BK Veggie was introduced in 2002 and then rebranded as the BK Veggie Burger in 2004. In 2019, Burger King rolled out the Impossible Whopper nationwide, featuring a plant-based patty from Impossible Foods. With increased interest in plant-based eating, fans of Burger King’s meatless options have been wondering about the fate of another veggie burger on the menu – the BK Veggie Bean Burger.
When was the BK Veggie Bean Burger introduced?
The BK Veggie Bean Burger was added to menus in late 2013. It featured a Morningstar Farms garden veggie patty made with black beans, brown rice, onions, carrots, mushrooms, red bell peppers, corn, green chiles and spices. The patty was served on a sesame seed bun with lettuce, tomato, pickles, ketchup and mayonnaise.
How long was the BK Veggie Bean Burger available?
The BK Veggie Bean Burger remained on menus for over 5 years. It was a popular choice among vegetarians and vegans since it did not contain any eggs or dairy like the original BK Veggie Burger. The bean burger provided an option made from whole food ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
When did Burger King discontinue the BK Veggie Bean Burger?
In mid-2019, customers started reporting that they could no longer order the BK Veggie Bean Burger at their local Burger King locations. The burger had quietly been removed from menus nationwide. Burger King confirmed the discontinuation of the bean burger in December 2019 after receiving customer inquiries.
Why did Burger King get rid of the veggie bean burger?
An official reason was not given by Burger King for axing the bean burger. However, it seems the launch of the Impossible Whopper, which also appeals to vegetarians and vegans, may have led to its discontinuation. The Impossible Whopper likely took over as BK’s prime plant-based offering. With a new meatless burger in the spotlight, continuing the bean burger may have been redundant.
Did customer feedback impact the decision?
It does not appear that customer complaints or feedback played a strong role in Burger King’s choice to stop selling the veggie bean burger. Despite some guests expressing disappointment at losing a favorite meatless option, the bean burger was likely discontinued more because of internal menu strategy.
Has Burger King responded to customer requests to bring it back?
Burger King has not made any indication that it plans to add the BK Veggie Bean Burger back to menus. When questioned about it in late 2019, Burger King told customers the removal was permanent and that there were no current options to reinstate it. The bean burger remains unavailable nationwide as of October 2023.
What vegetarian/vegan options are currently available at Burger King?
Here are the meatless options currently offered at Burger King:
- Impossible Whopper – plant-based burger with soy protein, coconut oil, sunflower oil and heme
- BK Veggie Burger – contains eggs and cheese
- Plant-Based Nuggets – made from soy
- Plant-Based Burger – also contains soy
- Garden Side Salad
- French Fries
While not fully vegan, the Impossible Whopper and plant-based nuggets/burger allow for meatless meal options. The regular Veggie Burger and sides like fries provide additional choices for vegetarian customers.
Is Burger King likely to bring back the bean burger?
The prospects of Burger King resurrecting the BK Veggie Bean Burger seem low at this time. Given its quiet removal from menus in 2019, Burger King does not appear interested in reinstating it. The chain is instead focused on expanding meatless options through partnerships with brands like Impossible Foods and promoting items like the plant-based nuggets and burger. unless customer demand increases drastically, Burger King will likely keep the bean burger off menus indefinitely.
Could fan petitions make an impact?
Guests who truly want to see the return of the BK Veggie Bean Burger could potentially make their voices heard through petitions. Change.org and other petition platforms allow people to demonstrate demand for discontinued menu items. If signatures and comments stacked up in support of bringing back the bean burger, it could sway Burger King to reconsider. However, the company still may not be convinced there is enough interest to justify re-adding it.
What other options do vegetarian Burger King guests have?
Those fond of the BK Veggie Bean Burger have a few options to get a similar meatless burger experience:
- Order the regular Veggie Burger without mayo and/or cheese
- Special order a burger without the meat patty
- Request any sandwich as a lettuce wrap instead of bun
- Choose sides like the Garden Side Salad, apple slices or french fries
Being willing to customize or omit ingredients gives vegetarian guests more choices. Sides like salads and fruits can round out a meatless meal.
Could the bean burger return in the future?
It’s not out of the question for Burger King to revive menu items in the future. Customer preferences change, and limited-time offers allow brands to reintroduce old favorites. If Impossible or Beyond Meat ever develop a new bean-based burger, that could motivate Burger King to give the bean burger another shot. A Back by Popular Demand promotional campaign could accompany its return. For now, the BK Veggie Bean Burger remains relegated to menus of the past.
Has the loss of the bean burger impacted Burger King’s reputation?
The removal of the BK Veggie Bean Burger does not appear to have significantly tarnished Burger King’s reputation with vegans and vegetarians. The chain is still viewed as one of the more veggie-friendly fast food restaurants thanks to options like the Impossible Whopper. While some loyal fans of the bean burger are disappointed and feel underserved, Burger King is still seen as making progress in meatless offerings. Unless more popular items get eliminated, Burger King’s brand image seems unaffected by the loss of the niche bean burger.
How can I provide feedback to Burger King about the bean burger?
Here are some ways to share your thoughts on the discontinued BK Veggie Bean Burger with Burger King corporate:
- Call Customer Service at 1-866-394-2493
- Contact through the website contact form or social media pages
- Write a letter to: Burger King Worldwide Headquarters, 5505 Blue Lagoon Drive Miami, FL 33126
- Speak to manager at local Burger King restaurant
Be polite in your communication and explain why you miss the bean burger and would love to see it back on the menu. Emphasize that you are a loyal customer who would purchase it regularly.
Conclusion
The BK Veggie Bean Burger unfortunately got pulled from Burger King menus in 2019 after 5+ years as a vegetarian favorite. Its quiet discontinuation suggests it was removed more for internal menu strategy than lack of customer demand. While disappointing to fans of the bean burger, Burger King does continue serving items like the Impossible Whopper to meet diner needs for meatless options. Guests can voice their fondness for the bean burger to corporate in hopes it may someday get reinvented or revived in limited-time offers. But for now, burger lovers seeking a similar vegetable-packed bean burger will have to look beyond Burger King.