It’s 2019 and you’ve probably heard by now: plant-based is going mainstream. The ultimate question ravaging the vegan social media scene is whether vegans should give their ethically earned dollars to these infamous mammoths of horror.

According to LiveKindly, KFC will be trialing vegetarian or vegan chicken buckets later this year and McDonalds has two new vegan options, including a vegan happy meal. Meanwhile, Plant-Based News reports that Burger King is about to launch a plant-based ‘Impossible Whopper’, while other Fast Food players like White Castle have had a plant-based option for over a year.

So what does this all mean for the average vegan?

Great for a long road trip and a quick lunch break or a firm and unwavering boycott?

Opinions are divided and the friction can be palpable.

No thanks I won’t forget about the ones that’s suffering to line their pockets so I’m not going to give them a penny.

Anonymous Facebook commenter, 3.21.19
LiveKindly article KFC Will Launch Vegan Chicken With ‘Amazing’ Flavors

If we don’t support buying the vegan options in these places do you think they’ll continue to sell them? Of course not. Come on folks, yes they still contribute to harm and cruelty to animals, as do all of our regular supermarkets, but if we support the vegan option they will contribute less and less. I think this is fantastic news as it makes veganism mainstream and encourages more and more people to choose this option. 

Anonymous Facebook commenter, 3.21.19
LiveKindly article KFC Will Launch Vegan Chicken With ‘Amazing’ Flavors

Perhaps philosophical debates are in order. A utilitarian perspective would have us sit down and carefully weigh the pros and cons of handing our money to these quintessential titans of animal exploitation. Yes, we are funding an industry that profits massively on the misery of billions, but also yes when we purchase these products we are telling these corporations that plant-based options are profitable, should be made widely available, and may eventually make a dent in (or dare I say decimate?) the colossal number of animals killed each year. But an accurate analysis of the net positive or negative impact of a vegan dining at Burger King may never be entirely possible. At least not without some sophisticated algorithms, a lot of time to burn, or perhaps the support of a dissertation supervisor.

In this humble vegan’s opinion, I believe a vegan future is inevitable. Not only because I hold true that no injustice lasts forever, but also because our planet simply cannot sustain itself otherwise in the long run. With that being said, whether one does or does not grab a beyond burger from their local fast food joint at 3am after a couple too many beers, is no more than a matter of personal choice.

What do you think? Comment below and share your thoughts!