Starbucks was one of the first national coffee chains to offer soy milk, and in the past year, the company has also added coconut milk to its menu as well as announced the expansion of its Animal Welfare-Friendly Practices.

In light of these positive steps forward, Starbucks should continue its progress by taking the next step: offer vegan food options!

Right now, a growing number of consumers looking for dairy-free coffee beverages can turn to Starbucks for soy milk or coconut milk – but that’s where Starbuck’s menu falls short. Plant-based food options are limited to oatmeal and a few pre-packaged fruit-based snacks.

By expanding its food menu to include hearty meat-, egg-, and dairy-free options such as vegan muffins or a protein-packed breakfast sandwich, Starbucks would give existing customers more choices while also reaching out to a new customer-base. This simple change will allow so many more customers to add a breakfast item with their coffee, stay for lunch, enjoy a pastry, or grab some food to go.

Recent market trend research shows that vegan eating is hitting the mainstream. A recent restaurant industry journal noted that “Millennials are increasingly interested in vegan cuisine, and more than 60 percent consume meat alternatives.”

Consumer interest in plant-based food and drink has become so widespread that Starbucks acknowledges that its decision to add coconut milk was based on customer requests – it was one of the “most popular My Starbucks Ideas of all time!”

Other national chains similar to Starbucks are already responding to the consumer interest in plant-based options. For example, in addition to dairy-free milk for coffee, Le Pain Quotidien’s menu features several hearty vegan options from breakfast through dessert, Au Bon Pain has a daily vegan soup, and Einstein Bros Bagels offers hummus or peanut butter toppings for bagels.

It is clear that consumer demand is shifting towards healthier and more humane foods, and Starbucks has taken the first steps to respond. Now it’s time for the company to take the next step -- and take the lead -- by offering a substantial plant-based food options.

Starbucks has already shown that it listens to consumer requests, so please sign this petition to let the company know that you appreciate the dairy-free milk options, and you’re ready for a vegan food menu!