# Nostalgic Vegan Fast Food Mr.Charlie's Meatless Meals Make Adults Feel Like Kids Again By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2023-04-26 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mr-charlies References: [thedieline](https://thedieline.com/blog/2023/4/24/mr-charlies-the-vegan-fast-food-joint-that-looks-familiar-but-is-unlike-anything-youve-seen-before)  With items on the menu like the Not a Chicken Sandwich or the BigChuck, vegan fast food chain Mr. Charlie's serves up nostalgic meals with a meatless twist. With an irreverent attitude, a focus on fun and a values-first approach, Mr. Charlie's sets itself apart from other restaurants in the fast food space. The restaurant is plastic-free and packaging is locally sourced to reduce emissions, and soy ink is used for printing—although costly, this is an intentional choice for the benefit of the planet. Co-founder Taylor McKinnon cites the circus as being a big inspiration for the youthful, childlike energy of Mr. Charlie's, which uses red and yellow packaging for its takeaway boxes. Previously, the plant-powered fast food chain established its presence in Los Angeles and it has now spread to San Francisco. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.3/10 - Popularity: 36% | Activity: 19% | Freshness: 15% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Nostalgic Fast Food:** Opportunity for other fast food restaurants to introduce a nostalgic menu items to attract customers looking for a unique experience. - **Sustainable Packaging:** Opportunity for packaging companies to offer sustainable and locally sourced options to reduce emissions and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. - **Values-first Approach:** Opportunity for other businesses to prioritize environmental and ethical values in their operations to attract consumers who prioritize sustainability and social responsibility. ### Who This Affects Most - **Fast Food:** Opportunity for fast food restaurants to differentiate themselves by offering unique and nostalgic menu items with a meatless twist. - **Packaging:** Opportunity for packaging companies to offer sustainable and locally sourced options that appeal to environmentally conscious consumers in the fast food industry. - **Sustainability:** Opportunity for businesses in various industries to prioritize sustainability and social responsibility as a core value, similar to Mr. Charlie's approach. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Cheesy Plant-Based Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mr-royale-with-cheese.md) - [Eco Fast Food Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cool-kids-meal.md) - [Vegan Fried Chicken Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegan-fried-chicken-menu.md) - [Minimal-Ingredient Vegan Proteins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/preposterous-foods.md) - [Plant-Based Chicken Offerings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fuddruckers.md) - [Plant-Based Virtual Burger Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegelicious.md) - [Limited-Edition Meatless Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chikn-parm.md) - [Restaurant-Targeted Vegan Chicken](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/daring-foods.md) - [Alternative Protein Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/neat-burger-2.md)