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Move over Berkeley, Watkins Glen Is Setting the Trend!

New "BK Veggie" Burger Has Humble Roots in Watkins Glen

Watkins Glen, NY-March 28 , 2002 - Last week, Burger King added a veggie burger to its the menu of fast-food options at its 8,500 locations nationwide. While this move has gained national media attention, and raves from animal rights organizations across the country, residents of central New York may remember that this isn't the mega-fast-food corporation's first foray into vegetarian cuisine.

In March 1993, the Burger King in Watkins Glen introduced the vegetarian Spicy Beanburger after Farm Sanctuary contacted the franchise owner as part of an effort to encourage local restaurants to add vegetarian and vegan fare to their menus. Dennis Kessler, owner of the Watkins Glen franchise, thought it was a great idea. "They told me there are 12 million vegetarians in the U.S., and this is an economic opportunity I'm missing out on," said Kessler. "If the vegetarian community is as large as these folks say it is, Burger King will see it as a business opportunity."

Kessler had to clear a few hurdles to get the burgers on the menu at his franchises, going so far as importing them from Europe, since Burger King had no vegetarian option available in the U.S. at that time. When Kessler finally got the beanburgers, the Watkins Glen location was the first Burger King in the nation to offer a veggie burger. "The demand was stupefying," said an amazed Kessler.

Burger King Corporation has finally caught on to what local businessman Dennis Kessler and Farm Sanctuary have known all along-offering humane food alternatives is good business. Farm Sanctuary applauds Burger King's decision to offer veggie burgers nationwide. Headquarted in Watkins Glen, NY, Farm Sanctuary is a national, nonprofit animal protection organization of over 90,000 members. For more information, visit www.farmsanctuary.org.

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.