SOUTH AFRICA – Food awareness organization ProVeg has awarded Thai-based restaurant chain Simply Asia as its top national restaurant offering vegan options for the second year in a row.
The award ceremony, held on November 11 at Simply Asia’s Seapoint branch, celebrated the restaurant chain’s achievement in becoming the top-ranked establishment in ProVeg’s annual Plant-Based Fast-Food Report 2024.
Simply Asia’s rise to the top is largely attributed to its inclusive approach to plant-based offerings, seamlessly integrating vegan options into its core Thai menu rather than creating a separate menu for plant-based consumers.
This strategy has made the brand a popular choice among plant-based advocates, food influencers, and media alike.
Simply Asia outperformed several well-known quick-service restaurants (QSRs) in the report, which evaluates and ranks fast-food chains based on their plant-based offerings.
The chain currently operates 56 branches across South Africa, with plans for further expansion. In addition to receiving ProVeg’s Plant-Based Award, Simply Asia also won the Best of Joburg award for Best Asian Restaurant.
ProVeg South Africa, a food-awareness organization, has been publishing this ranking for three years. In 2024, Simply Asia surpassed other popular chains such as Kauai, Panarottis, Nando’s, and Spur to claim the top spot.
The report highlights the growth of plant-based options in South Africa’s fast-food sector, which has seen a 41% increase in turnover from takeaways and QSRs since 2019. This surge aligns with a broader consumer trend toward more health-conscious and environmentally sustainable food choices.
The report also notes that the number of vegan main meal options in the top-performing QSRs has risen from 25 in 2022 to 31 in 2024, reflecting a significant shift in the industry. This growth stands in contrast to some international reports suggesting a decline in veganism.
Wikus Engelbrecht, communications manager for ProVeg South Africa, addressed this issue during the award ceremony, stating, “The rumours of the demise of veganism are greatly exaggerated.”
Engelbrecht, who has been vegan for over 20 years, shared his experiences of the limited plant-based options available in South Africa two decades ago.
He emphasized that the changes in the marketplace are part of an evolution, not a revolution, and that the outlook for plant-based consumers—both locally and globally—remains positive and progressive.
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