Greggs boss says he is going on a VEGAN diet after revealing bakery chain is working on meat-free versions of all of its best-selling products
- Roger Whiteside has seen that going meat-free can have commercial benefits
- Is currently making his way through Greggs’ vegan range including sausage roll
- Made decision after watching a Netflix documentary called The Game Changers
It is famous for its meaty steak bakes and sausage rolls, but now the boss of Greggs has switched to a vegan diet.
Chief executive, Roger Whiteside, says he is following the lead – at least temporarily – of an increasing number of Britons who are trying to live on a plant based diet.
The boss of the chain has seen for himself that going meat-free can have commercial benefits following the launch of the hugely popular vegan version of its famous sausage roll.
Greggs chief executive Roger Whiteside (pictured) said he took the decision to make changes in his diet for a trial period after watching a Netflix documentary called The Game Changers
And other vegan products are in the pipeline, including an alternative to its steak bake.
Mr Whiteside, who has run the business for seven years, said he took the decision to make changes in his diet for a trial period after watching a Netflix documentary called The Game Changers.
It featured various sporting stars, including Formula One’s Lewis Hamilton, plus the mostly vegan actor Arnold Schwarzenegger speaking about living healthily with a plant-based diet.
He said: ‘If you’d asked me three weeks ago which roll I preferred I would have said the original sausage roll, but I’m now attempting to live on a vegan diet.
‘I was encouraged to watch a film on Netflix called The Game Changers – I watched it and thought this is interesting.
‘Obviously there are arguments based around animal welfare and the environment, but this was all about the health benefits, and I thought I should give it a go.
‘Avoiding meat is easy. The problem is avoiding dairy, avoiding milk and cheese is almost impossible. It would be okay if I had time to cook, but I don’t, so I have to have things that are quick and easy.’
Mr Whiteside has seen for himself that going meat-free can have commercial benefits following the launch of the hugely popular vegan version of its famous sausage roll (pictured)
Mr Whiteside is currently making his way through Greggs’ vegan range.
He said: ‘We’ve got the award-winning vegan wrap which I have quite frequently and the vegan sausage roll which I’ll have about once a week, and now we have the sweet choice with the vegan sweet mince pie.’
He spoke of his new plant-based food regime as he was crowned this year’s North East Business Executive of the Year.
Food companies have made remarkable strides in using plants to create faux versions of meat, chicken and fish that looks and tastes very much like the real thing.
Burger King has signed a deal with a brand called The Vegetarian Butcher to start selling a vegan burger in Europe, including the UK, called the Rebel Whopper.
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