BK Veggie

Foodbox
name = BK Veggie sandwich


caption =
serving_size = 1 sandwich (215 g)
calories = US 420 UK 409
calories_from_fat =
total_fat = 16 g ( %)
saturated_fat = 2.5 g ( %)
trans_fat = 0 g
cholesterol = 10 mg ( %)
sodium = 1100 mg ( %)
total_carbohydrate = 46 g ( %)
dietary_fiber = 7 g ( %)
sugars = 8 g
protein = 23 g
vitamin_a =
vitamin_c =
vitamin_e =
calcium =
iron =
folate =
source = [http://www.bk.com/Nutrition/PDFs/brochure.pdf www.BK.com (PDF)]
notes = May vary outside US market. US % Daily Value based on 2000 calorie diet.

The BK Veggie is a vegetarian soy-based meatless sandwich that is served at Burger King restaurants. The sandwich is not vegan, as it has dairy components. It is one of BK's health conscious oriented menu items.

Product description

The BK Veggie is made with mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, and ketchup served on a sesame-seed bun. Optional ingredients upon request include cheese, onion, and mustard.

Aliases and international naming

* In Australia it is part of the BK Baguette line of sandwiches.
* In the United Kingdom, the BK Veggie is called BK Veggie Burger.
* In Germany, it is called "Country Burger".

Classification

In UK outlets of Burger King, the BK Veggie has been approved by the [http://www.vegesoc.org Vegetarian Society] . Subsequently, on the menu boards, a 'Vege society approved' logo is shown next to the item name. In the US the sandwich was approved by PETA, who not only welcomed the BK Veggie as a way to give vegetarians more choice, but also hailed the company's recent agreement with the group to seek out suppliers that employ humane treatment methods in raising their animal stock. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Local Vegetarians to Party at Burger King. |url=http://www.peta.org/mc/NewsItem.asp?id=2017 |quote=Once upon a time, vegetarians held nearly 1,000 demonstrations outside, inside, and even on the rooftops of Burger King restaurants to protest the fast-food giant’s mistreatment of animals. Now, vegetarians are putting on their party hats to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the BK Veggie by inviting their friends to Burger King restaurants across the country—including in Sacramento—for veggie burgers, balloons, and fun! The festivities will get underway the week of March 17, just in time to coincide with Meatout 2003. |publisher=PETA |date= |accessdate=2007-12-03 ] [cite news |url=http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2987450 |title=Burger King Offers Cage-Free Food. |author=AP Wire |publisher=Associated Press |date=2007-03-28 |accessdate=2007-08-21 ]

History

The product was first introduced in 2002, shortly before the company's acquisition by TPG Capital, L.P., as part of a menu expansion that included a revamped King Supreme and other products designed to better compete with a similar planned menu expansion at McDonald's early the next year.cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3190/is_51_35/ai_80953023 |title=Listen up, Mac: BK aims to reign supreme, orders menu changes |author=Amy Zuber |publisher=Nation's Restaurant News |date=2001-12-17 |accessdate=2007-12-04 |quote=The menu overhaul is part of a chain-wide effort led by chairman and chief executive John Dasburg to reverse declining sales and traffic trends in preparation for Burger King's much-anticipated separation from London-based parent Diageo PLC.] It was originally prepared in the same manner as a Whopper, a flame-broiled veggie patty with mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion and ketchup served on a sesame-seed roll. At the time the sandwich was vegan if the customer asked to have it cooked in a microwave oven, otherwise it was not considered vegan because it was cooked on the same equipment as the burgers and chicken.cite news |url=http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=3758360&BRD=2259&PAG=461&dept_id=455154&rfi=8 |title=Vegetarian upset BK cooks veggie burgers in meat juices |author=Mary S. Ondrako |publisher=Citizens' Voice | date=2002-04-05 |accessdate=2007-12-04 |quote=] At the time of its introduction, the sandwich was hailed by many as a way to not only give vegetarians more options, but as a healthy alternative that gave all consumers more choices in meal options. The Center for Science in the Public Interest lauded the sandwiches low fat and low sodium content, but derided the companies other menu items introduced at the time that it claimed as being unhealthy. [cite news |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0813/is_4_29/ai_85915467 |title=BK breakthrough - Right Stuff |author=Center for Science in the Public Interest |publisher=Nutrition Action Healthletter |date=May 2002 |accessdate=2007-12-04 |quote=Hey, Burger King. After becoming almost a permanent fixture in our Food Porn slot, isn't it great to finally make an appearance as a Right Stuff?" "Unfortunately, the Veggie burger may be the only bright spot in Burger King's revamped menu. ]

In late 2004, BK (US) entered into a partnership with Kellogg's Morningstar Farms division to offer a soy-based meatless patty. The sandwich was reformulated not to include pickles and onions, and in order to address concerns raised by vegetarian groups, the cooking method was also changed to microwaving to prevent cross-contamination with meat products.cite news|url=https://msnbc.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2005/05/19/kelloggs-royal-partner.aspx |title=Kellogg's Royal Partner |author=Steven Mallas |publisher=Motley Fool |date=2005-05-17 |accessdate=2007-12-04 |quote=It's good to be king. But, if you can't be king, then it's good to be associated with the King. Kellogg nyse2|K has decided to go for the latter.]

Advertising

The use of a corporate cross-promotion helped drive sales by giving The Morningstar Farms brand increased exposure and sales opportunities, while Burger King promotes an existing, trusted brand name which aids marketing efforts and can encourages consumers to try the BK Veggie. [cite news |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/food-stores/4485691-1.html |title=Burger King Partners With Kellogg on Veggie Burger. |author= |publisher=Convenience Store News |date=2005-05-25 |accessdate=2007-12-04 |quote=...it seems that the King is shooting for the best of both worlds with its new BK Veggie Burger, which has vegetarian patties from Kellogg's Morningstar Farms.]

Naming and trademarks

The name "BK Veggie" is a registered trademark of Burger King Holdings and is displayed with the "circle-R" (®) symbol in the US and Canada.

References

See also

* Spicy Bean Burger
* Veggie burger

Similar sandwiches by other vendors:

As of July 2007, major fast food chains in the US, such as McDonald's and Wendy's, do not offer a similar product nationally, McDonald's does offer a similar sandwich in parts of the European market and regionally in some parts of the US.

External links

* [http://www.kelloggs.com Kellogg's]
* [http://www.seeveggiesdifferently.com/ Morningstar Farms]