Legendary former boxer Mike Tyson has taken a significant step into the plant-based food sector, investing in Mr. Charlie’s, a unique vegan fast food chain making waves with its playful twist on fast-food classics. The investment comes through Carma HoldCo, the parent company of Tyson’s cannabis brand, Tyson 2.0. Mr. Charlie’s, co-founded by Aaron Haxton and Taylor McKinnon, already operates in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sydney. With Tyson’s support, it plans to expand its reach to new markets globally.
Vegan Fast Food from Mr Charlie’s
Mr. Charlie’s has attracted attention with its “Not a Hamburger” patties, Tindle-based nuggets, and “Frowny Fries,” with bold red-and-yellow branding reminiscent of traditional fast food chains. Tyson, a long-time advocate of health-conscious living and plant-based eating, sees this venture as perfectly aligned with his values. “I very much believe in the healthy benefits of a vegan diet and was a strict vegan for many years,” Tyson shared in a press release. “I’m proud to align myself with partners bringing healthy alternatives that taste good to the fast food space.”
Tyson’s backing brings not only celebrity appeal but also amplifies Mr. Charlie’s mission to create social impact through hiring practices. The restaurant chain is committed to providing employment opportunities to individuals from vulnerable backgrounds, including those experiencing homelessness—a cause that resonates deeply with Tyson. He shared his enthusiasm about supporting Mr. Charlie’s work to uplift these communities and create positive change through employment.
McKinnon and Haxton are equally optimistic, noting that Carma’s experience in building disruptive brands like Tyson 2.0 will be invaluable as Mr. Charlie’s expands. They stated, “Both Carma and Mr. Charlie’s are about creating meaningful change. Whether it’s providing second chances to our employees or delivering plant-based food in a fun and novel way.”
As Tyson and his partners work to bring Mr. Charlie’s to more locations, they hope to set a new standard for vegan fast food that is healthier for people, better for the planet, and deeply connected to community values.
