An increased demand for vegan food is powering growth at franchise chain Lord of the Fries that has it aiming to open 40 new stores across Australia.

Chief executive and co-founder Mark Koronczyk said the rise of veganism had driven demand for the company's signature fries and imitation-meat burgers and hot dogs.

Chief executive and co-founder of Lord of the Fries Mark Koronczyk. Credit:Chris Hopkins

But the chain's popularity extended beyond that market, as it had not set out to target only vegans, he said.

"From when we opened we did not want to have all over our menu 'vegan, Halal, vegetarian', we focused on tasty food that just happens to be vegan," he said.