Taco Bell Caters to Vegetarians with Meatless Menu

Taco Bell has impeccable timing.

First, the Mexican fast food chain introduces customers to alcoholic beverages just in time to keep us warm for the winter, and now, the chain announces their new vegetarian menu on World Vegetarian Day.

According to the press release, Taco Bell is now the first quick service restaurant to offer menu items certified by the American Vegetarian Association (AVA), the industry’s recognized standard in vegetarian branding. The company’s choice to offer meat-free options is important, being that roughly one quarter of their consumers are eating more vegetarian now than in 2013.

Taco Bell’s CEO Brian Niccol explained, “At Taco Bell, vegetarians are not an afterthought. We sell more than 350 million vegetarian menu items each year, but until now haven’t been vocal about it. Niccol also explains that their new website, ta.co, allows users to customize their orders just the way they’d like – a feature that’s fitting for the new vegetarian menu. “We’re proud to treat meat lovers and vegetarians equally – equally delicious, equally craveable and equally affordable.”

The new vegetarian menu offers 13 AVA-certified menu items, including the 7-Layer Burrito and the Cantina Power Veggie Bowl. Customers can also substitute or include any of the 35 AVA-certified vegetarian ingredients into the regular menu items.