# Vegetarian Grillhouse Concepts This Restaurant Concept Imagines a Grill Just for Vegetarians By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2015-01-05 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/restaurant-concept References: [behance.net](https://www.behance.net/gallery/22103099/The-Hootin-Root-) & [behance.net](http://www.behance.net/derekjhorn) The Hootin' Root is a restaurant concept by Derek Horn that imagines an establishment to tackle the misconceptions of a plant-based diet. The proposed building and branding design for The Hootin' Root restaurant is dark, gritty and woodsy, providing the atmosphere of a traditional barbecue restaurant that non-meat eaters can enjoy. Items on the menu include appetizers like fried pickles, eggplant "wings," "hellapenos," asparagus fries, plus a ton of [veggie burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/juicy-marbles) and [BBQ sauces developed just for vegetarians](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tender-greens-summer). Although vegetarianism is not yet the mainstream in North America, this kind of [cruelty-free restaurant](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tgi-fridays-vegan-menu) is easily one that you could see popping up as a chain for its novelty and fun factor. As well as having appeal to vegetarians and vegans, it's also a great way to introduce a healthier way of eating a variety of classic barbecue favorites to meat eaters. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.3/10 - Popularity: 35% | Activity: 27% | Freshness: 8% - 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) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Plant-based BBQ:** An emerging trend in the restaurant industry is the concept of plant-based barbecue, providing a unique and inclusive dining experience for vegetarians and vegans. - **Alternative Meat Substitutes:** The popularity of alternative meat substitutes continues to rise, creating opportunities for innovative vegetarian grillhouse concepts to cater to the growing demand. - **Healthier Comfort Food:** The trend of offering healthier versions of classic comfort foods, like vegetarian burgers and asparagus fries, allows business professionals to tap into the market of health-conscious consumers. ### Who This Affects Most - **Restaurant:** The restaurant industry can take advantage of the trend by developing plant-based barbecue concepts and incorporating alternative meat substitutes into their menus. - **Food Packaging:** The rise of vegetarian grillhouse concepts presents opportunities for food packaging companies to create innovative packaging solutions for plant-based barbecue ingredients and products. - **Fast Food:** Fast food chains can adapt to the trend by introducing vegetarian BBQ options to cater to the increasing number of consumers looking for healthier fast food alternatives. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Nostalgic Vegan Fast Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mr-charlies.md) - [Plant-Based Smokehouses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barvecue-smokehouse.md) - [Saucy Meat-Free Meal Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/veggie-grill-bitchin-menu.md) - [Bone-In Vegan Ribs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/premium-plant-based-ribs.md) - [Virtual Vegan Bowl Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegan-bowls-for-all.md) - [Vegan Barbecue Bowls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/backyard-bbq-bowl.md) - [Plant-Based Rib Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-veggrib.md) - [Branded Grilled Cheese Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grilled-cheese-restaurant.md) - [Minimal-Ingredient Vegan Proteins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/preposterous-foods.md)