Cheapism is editorially independent. We may earn a commission if you buy through links on our site.

The gooey, out-of-this-world cheesy hashbrown casserole and the knickknacks you don't need but buy anyway are two reasons lots of customers love Cracker Barrel. For more than 50 years, the restaurant chain has served good old-fashioned comfort food, but there's a new menu item shaking things up. Many loyal patrons of the restaurant have expressed outrage over the introduction of plant-based sausage to the menu.

But Cracker Barrel isn't the first restaurant to offer vegan options. In fact, the Tennessee-based restaurant operator is just taking part in a trend that has been growing in popularity. Several fast-food chains, including McDonald's and Burger King, have already rolled out plant-based menu options, and the niche-food market is only going to continue expanding its reach.