It’s a big week: Taylor Swift’s new album is here—and that means it’s Pop-Tart season. Swift’s favorite sweet treat isn’t just delicious, it’s also surprisingly easy to make at home. Want to bake along with the music? Check out our guide to baking your way through Taylor Swift’s eras, from Taylor Swift to The Life of a Showgirl.
And when you’re not blasting the new tracks or pulling pastries from the oven, catch up on this week’s biggest food news: Chipotle has a new vegan sauce, Walmart just dropped a plant-based pizza, and more.
Chipotle
Finally, our vegan Chipotle orders get a delicious change-up
Chipotle has introduced a bold new vegan-friendly option: red chimichurri sauce. The tangy blend, made with roasted garlic, fresh cilantro, chili peppers, and citrus juice, pairs perfectly with many of the chain’s top menu items, including the plant-based Sofritas Bowl.
“Red Chimichurri unlocks an all-new flavor profile that is unlike any menu item we introduced before,” said Chris Brandt, president and Chief Brand Officer, in a statement. “This is more than a new sauce – it’s a new way for our fans to get creative and build the ultimate flavor combination.”
Slutty Vegan
A Real Housewife is franchising vegan restaurants
Pinky Cole Hayes (rumored to be joining the cast of The Real Housewives of Atlanta) is gearing up to franchise Slutty Vegan, the plant-based burger chain she launched in 2018. After facing debt and cash flow challenges, Hayes bought back the company in March 2025. The chain currently operates six locations, down from a peak of 18 in 2022. But with franchising, Hayes says she’s determined to scale back up.
“I really want to show other entrepreneurs that even though it’s hard … you can redeem yourself, and you can come back from a tough situation, and you can rise above and come back on top,” she told Franchise Times. Find out more about franchising opportunities here.
Walmart is launching a new vegan pizza
Walmart is expanding its Bettergoods line with a brand-new gluten-free vegan pizza. The frozen pie features a cauliflower crust, mozzarella-style dairy-free cheese, and roasted vegetables.
Bettergoods, Walmart’s private-label range, already includes a variety of vegan offerings such as almond milk, macaroni and cheese, chocolate, and nuggets, making the new pizza a natural addition.
Three Trees makes the booming tea shop experience vegan and on-the-go
Milk tea, also known as boba or bubble tea, has been growing in popularity for a while now. If you want to get in on the trend, Three Trees has made it easier than ever with its new bottled Organic Milk Tea, made with oat and almond milk.
“Skip the line for boba. High quality, authentic milk tea now comes conveniently bottled for you,” states the brand. “It’s a rich yet refreshing classic, reimagined.” Flavors include matcha, jasmine, oolong, and classic.
Bitchin’ Sauce
Pumpkin Pie Bitchin’ Sauce arrives at Target
Pumpkin Pie Bitchin’ Sauce has arrived at Target. The limited-edition flavor is vegan, gluten-free, and delivers a cozy seasonal taste with the brand’s signature “Bitchin’ twist.” According to the company, it pairs well with everything from fruit to toast to yogurt.
“Pumpkin pie is one of our family’s favorites, and I am so excited that it is available at Target for our customers to enjoy nationwide,” Starr Edwards, founder of Bitchin’ Sauce, said in a statement. “Its warm and cozy spice paired with traditional pumpkin flavor brings joy to our taste buds!”
Starbucks
Starbucks leaves money on the table with new protein coffees
Starbucks is leaning into the protein trend with a new lineup of lattes and cold foam drinks in flavors ranging from banana cream matcha to sugar-free vanilla.
“As we continue to get back to Starbucks, we’re focused on modernizing our menu with innovative, relevant, and hype-worthy products that will resonate with our customers,” said Tressie Lieberman, Starbucks’ global chief brand officer.
The drinks get an added boost of protein from whey, which makes them unsuitable for vegans. This is a surprising move given the record-high demand for dairy-free options. By sidelining dairy-free consumers, Starbucks is leaving money on the table.
For more plant-based stories like this, read:
Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
