It really doesn’t seem that long ago that Burger King introduced the Impossible Whopper and since then the entire plant-based meat sector has exploded and found its way onto dozens of fast food, fast casual and causal restaurant menus across the U.S.
The two dominant names right now in the industry are Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods.
If you’ve been looking for a list of chains with the Impossible, that is what we’re giving you here! Please note… the 11 (no longer 9) restaurants we share, include fast casual and casual restaurants–not just fast food.
Before we get started, we want you to be aware that we are a vegan website run by a husband and wife team, who are both vegans themselves, so we’ll also include notes on how to order each burger vegan. The title name of each restaurant is linked with our vegan guide for them. Here is where you can find information on cross-contamination.
We understand that vegetarians, veg-curious and other plant-based folks may be reading through this as well so you can choose your level of comfort with how you want to order it.
Fast Food Restaurants with Impossible Burger
FatBurger
While Burger King often gets credit for it, Fatburger was actually the first national chain to add the Impossible Burger back in 2018. It’s hard to believe that now only 3 years later, you can find Impossible at so many chains.
FatBurger is also one of the vegan-friendliest fast-food chains in the US. Not only can you get an Impossible Burger there (order with NO mayo), but you can add Daiya Dairy-Free Cheese to your burger as well.
Finally, to top it all off, you can wash down your burger and fries with your choice of FOUR different vegan milkshakes. Choose from vanilla, strawberry, chocolate and maui-banana!
Burger King
The Impossible Whopper was one of the first plant-based burgers to be offered at a fast-food chain. Burger King rolled out the Impossible Whopper on August 8th, 2019. That’s over two years ago! It’s crazy to think how fast other fast-food chains have joined in on the vegan movement.
We love the Impossible Whopper so much that not only do we think it’s one of the best plant-based burgers you can get, it’s one of the best vegan fast food menu options at any fast-food chain, period.
Burger King doubled down on their Impossible success with the addition of Impossible Croissan’wich to their breakfast menu, although this sandwich is not quite so vegan-friendly.
White Castle
White Castle has been serving up Impossible Sliders since 2018. They’re a plant-based version of their regular sliders, served with pickles and onions on those delicious steamed buns.
The only mod you need to make to the Impossible Sliders is to order them with no cheese. If you’re really lucky, there are select White Castle locations that carry Daiya dairy-free cheese – just ask and cross your fingers!
White Castle also serves up a vegan-friendly Veggie Burger that is made with Dr. Praeger’s Veggie Patty, so vegans have multiple options for those late-night burger runs.
Fast Casual Restaurants with Impossible Burger
Bareburger
Bareburger has a whole heap of plant-based burgers on its menu. Impossible Burgers, a black bean burger and even a sweet potato, kale & wild-rice patty are on the menu.
The two Impossible Burgers currently on the menu are the Impossible Standard and the Impossible Shrooming.
The Impossible Standard comes with Impossible beef, vegan American cheese, caramelized onion, dill pickle, garlic aioli and organic ketchup, while the Impossible Shrooming comes with Impossible beef, wild mushroom, caramelized onion, garlic aioli, and jalapeño bbq.
They both sound so good!
Qdoba
If you thought this list would be all burgers, surprise!
Qdoba added Impossible Meat Crumbles to their menu in 2019. You can add the Impossible Crumbles to bowls, burritos and tacos.
Please be aware that in late 2022/early 2023, Qdoba removed Impossible Meat from many locations so you will need to check with yours to verify it is available before ordering. Read more about Qdoba removing Impossible meat, here
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Baja Fresh
For a couple of years Baja Fresh would not give out any information on whether their menu items were vegan-friendly due to cross-contamination. In 2023, we finally were given a list with cross-contamination disclaimers attached, but ultimately, we were finally able to update our Vegan Guide for Baja Fresh properly.
In July 2021, Baja Fresh added Impossible Meat. This again, is not going to be a burger but a ground, but it’s Impossible nonetheless.
You have options here …a burrito, tacos, a bowl or even fajitas!
The Impossible Tacos are vegan/plant-based as is. They come with 3 warm soft corn tacos with Impossible meat, beans, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole and salsa baja. Choose which beans you want: black or pinto.
The other three, the burrito, bowl and fajitas, will need to be modified if you are vegan/plant-based. See our Baja Fresh Vegan Guide for the most up-to-date ordering information.
Casual (Sit-Down) Restaurants with Impossible Burgers
The Cheesecake Factory
The Impossible Burger has been around at The Cheesecake Factory for a lot longer than you may have realized. They rolled it out on their menus in the fall of 2018 and it’s been on there ever since.
There’s actually a really good selection of vegan-friendly items on Cheesecake Factory’s menu which makes sense when you think about it because, well, what isn’t on their menu?!?
Red Robin
Some people might be surprised to find out that Red Robin is one of the friendliest fast food places for a vegan burger of any fast food restaurant, but it’s true!
Red Robin’s Impossible Burger does need a couple of modifications – Order with NO cheese or mayo. It’s served with an impossible patty, red pickle relish, onions, pickles, lettuce and tomatoes on a classic sesame bun.
What makes Red Robin so plant-burger friendly is that they also have a veggie burger made out of ancient grain and quinoa. That’s right, vegans have two burger options at Red Robin! And, don’t forget to grab an order of Red Robin’s famous steak fries with your burger!
Be aware that when you visit a Red Robin to order the Impossible Burger, they no longer consider it vegan. We share details in our article, “Why is Red Robin’s Impossible Burger No Longer Vegan?”
Applebees
In March of 2022, Applebees began offering an Impossible Burger. Applebee’s Impossible Burger will require a modification if you are vegan or plant-based.
The burger comes with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles on a brioche bun. #1, you will need to order it with NO cheese. #2, the brioche bun has been confirmed vegan!
Ryan enjoyed it as-is with waffle fries while Jen ordered it as a substitution on Applebee’s Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Salad.
Hard Rock Cafe
We do not have a lot of info on Hard Rock Cafe (we’ve yet to do a complete vegan guide on Hard Rock Cafe, but it is on our list!)
What we do know though is that they have an Impossible Burger on their menu. It appears that it will need at least a few modifications – according to their online menu the burger comes with cheddar cheese and an onion ring which are generally not vegan at restaurants.
Ask for more information prior to ordering.
Ruby Tuesday
Our most recent addition to the list of Impossible Burgers at chains in the US is Ruby Tuesday’s Impossible Indulgent Burger. Ruby Tuesday debuted this burger in November 2023 and we were there quick to try it!
The Impossible Indulgent Burger comes with Impossible’s Indulgent patty, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle on a toasted brioche bun.
Whether you are vegan, vegetarian, plant-based or veg-curious, there is no need to make any modifications. 🙂
Fast Food Places Testing Impossible Burger?
Starbucks
You may have heard that Starbucks has an Impossible Breakfast Sandwich featuring the Impossible Breakfast Sausage.
However, they’re not quite vegan. Actually, they’re not even close.
The sandwich comes pre-packaged with egg and cheese on the sandwich. Then, to top it off, the Ciabatta Bread that the Sausage is served on contains egg.
The only thing vegan on the sandwich is the Impossible Sausage itself.
There is some good news on the horizon though. Starbucks has been testing a fully vegan version of the breakfast sandwich at a few locations (one in Seattle and one in Texas last we checked). Here’s to hoping this version finds its way onto menus nationwide soon!
Johnny Rockets
Johnny Rockets was serving up an Impossible Burger in the summer of 2021 at 80 select locations across the country. You could even get a vegan milkshake to go with your burger.
It did come with its share of issues. For example, Johnny Rockets does not carry a vegan-friendly bun so the burger had to be ordered on a lettuce wrap or just sans bun.
However, it appears that the Impossible Burger (and the shakes) are no longer on the menu.
Little Caesars
Back in 2019 Little Caesars rolled out the Impossible Supreme Pizza onto select menus across the country.
The pizza featured Impossible Foods Impossible Sausage along with mushrooms, caramelized onions and green peppers.
Unfortunately, the Impossible Supreme finished its test run and hasn’t been added back to any Little Caesars menu that we’re aware of.
As someone who used to pick up a $5 Hot n Ready pizza on an almost weekly basis, I for one, hope to see Impossible Sausage back on the menu at Little Caesars at some point in the future.
Impossible Sausage
Burgers aren’t the only Impossible products that you can now find at popular chain restaurants. Cracker Barrel tested out Impossible Sausages early in 2022 and then in July rolled them out to all of their locations in the US.
We gave them a try and they’re not only delicious but a much-needed plant-based addition to the Cracker Barrel menu.
Final Thoughts
Impossible Burgers, along with Impossible Ground and all the Impossible varieties have been blowing up over the past few years. Fast food restaurants have been adding, or at least testing, Impossible featured menu items so often that it’s often hard to keep track.
This also doesn’t even include all the fast food places that have added Beyond Meat to their menus.
Jen and I have loved watching this supply meeting demand unfold recently. Whether it’s aimed at vegans, or just people wanting to reduce their meat consumption for whatever reason – it’s all steps in the right direction as far as we’re concerned.
