Starbucks Drops Impossible Breakfast Sandwich
The plant-based sandwich is being phased out across U.S. stores in November 2026, leaving no advertised U.S. menu item with plant-based meat.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Vegetarian
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Do you still order plant-based meat when you eat out?
Starbucks is discontinuing its Impossible Breakfast Sandwich across the United States, according to a Bloomberg report on November 3, 2026. The sandwich, launched nationally in 2020, will be phased out in November 2026 and no replacement featuring plant-based meat has been announced.
Why it matters
The change leaves Starbucks with no advertised U.S. menu item featuring plant-based meat, following broader declines in plant-based meat sales. Starbucks said it regularly reviews its menu to meet customer and business needs, and the removal follows a 2025 plan by CEO Brian Niccol to cut menu items by roughly 30%.
The sandwich paired an Impossible Sausage patty with a cage-free fried egg and aged cheddar, totaling 420 calories and 21 grams of protein. U.S. plant-based meat sales fell 10% in retail and 7% in foodservice in 2025, but the reason for the sandwich's removal has not been broken out in the reporting.
The players
Starbucks
Starbucks is a global coffee chain headquartered in Seattle, Washington, known for its espresso drinks and food menu.
Brian Niccol
Brian Niccol is the chief executive of Starbucks who announced a plan in January 2025 to cut the chain's food and beverage menu by roughly 30%.
Bloomberg
Bloomberg is a global financial media company whose news service first reported the sandwich's discontinuation.
The details
Starbucks confirmed the discontinuation to Bloomberg and said it regularly reviews its menu using various criteria. The sandwich was not vegan because its egg and cheddar contain animal products, and it is being removed nationwide in November 2026.
Timeline
January 2025: CEO Brian Niccol announced plans to cut menu items by about 30%.
2020: The Impossible Breakfast Sandwich launched nationally as Starbucks' first plant-based meat breakfast sandwich.
2025: U.S. plant-based meat sales declined in retail and foodservice.
November 3, 2026: Bloomberg reported the discontinuation.
November 2026: The sandwich is phased out across the United States.
Big Picture
The removal follows the January 2025 plan by Brian Niccol to cut roughly 30% of Starbucks' food and beverage items to focus on less popular products and shorten wait times. It also comes as U.S. plant-based meat sales fell 10% in retail in 2025.
Customers who ordered the Impossible Breakfast Sandwich at U.S. Starbucks locations will need to choose another breakfast item once it is phased out in November 2026. Starbucks has not announced a plant-based replacement, so shoppers seeking meat-free options will need to look elsewhere on the menu.
The takeaway
Readers who rely on Starbucks for plant-based breakfast should check the menu before visiting, since no replacement has been announced. Checking the current menu on the Starbucks app or in store helps avoid surprises as items rotate.
Further reading
For more on meat-free eating trends, see Vegetarian coverage.
Live Poll
Do you still order plant-based meat when you eat out?
