British Travel Influencers Call for Vegan McDonald's Clone to Launch in UK
British social media influencers Liam and Janine Day, known as Those Happy Days, have sparked a fervent demand for a vegan fast-food restaurant that closely resembles McDonald's to open in the United Kingdom. The couple made the discovery during their travels in San Francisco, California, and shared their experience in a viral TikTok video.
Astonishing Discovery in San Francisco
In the video, Janine points to a standard McDonald's restaurant before turning to highlight another establishment directly across the street. This second business, called Mr Charlie's, features a strikingly similar red and yellow colour scheme and a logo that evokes McDonald's iconic golden arches. However, as Liam explains in the clip, there is one major distinction: everything at Mr Charlie's is entirely plant-based.
"Something very weird is happening here. That's a regular McDonald's, but right across the street is a completely vegan one," Liam states. The video then transitions inside Mr Charlie's, where the interior design mirrors that of McDonald's, complete with fast-food screens and familiar branding elements.
High Praise for Plant-Based Alternatives
Liam and Janine sampled the menu, which includes vegan burgers, chicken nuggets, fries, and even a McFlurry-style dessert called Mr. FluffHead. Liam enthusiastically describes the food, saying, "Can I say that the chicken nuggets were the most life-like I've ever had, and the burgers taste just like a McDonald's burger. In fact, they're better than McDonald's burgers."
In their video description, the couple elaborated, "We genuinely had to do a double take… There’s a real McDonald’s on one side of the road, and a fully vegan version of it on the other. Same red & yellow vibe, same fast-food menu boards… but EVERYTHING is plant-based. And honestly? The nuggets were the most realistic we’ve ever had. Like, scary good."
Call for Expansion to the UK
Concluding their video, Liam asserts, "The UK really needs a Mr. Charlie's. In fact, every city in the world needs one of these." The couple has since been actively campaigning for the chain to establish a presence in Britain, appealing directly to Mr Charlie's via social media.
Mr Charlie's, which is not affiliated with McDonald's, currently operates four branches in California, with another set to open soon, and one location in Sydney, Australia. According to vegan business website vegconomist, the chain launched its first outlet in 2022 and has gained popularity as the 'vegan McDonald's,' with endorsements from figures like pop star Lizzo.
While Mr Charlie's has plans to expand into New Zealand and Singapore, there has been no official announcement regarding a potential UK launch. The menu features plant-based versions of McDonald's classics, such as the Mr. Chuck burger, which resembles a Big Mac, further fueling the demand among British consumers for accessible vegan fast-food options.
