13 October 2026
Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) has joined animal protection organisations in signing an open letter calling on Pret A Manger to honour its commitment to phase out the use of fast-growing chickens, commonly known as ‘Frankenchickens’, from its supply chain.
The letter forms part of the Break From Pret campaign, which is calling on the popular high street food chain to take meaningful action to improve chicken welfare, following concerns over its failure to deliver on a pledge made eight years ago.
In 2018, Pret A Manger committed to meeting the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC), a set of standards designed to improve the lives of chickens reared for meat. This included transitioning to slower-growing breeds by 2026.
However, Pret’s latest published progress report confirms that it has yet to make progress towards meeting the slower-growing breed requirement, with 0% compliance across its UK supply chain. The company has instead outlined a longer-term roadmap for transitioning to higher-welfare breeds.
Fast-growing chickens have been selectively bred to reach slaughter weight in just a matter of weeks, placing enormous strain on their bodies. These birds are at significantly increased risk of painful leg disorders, mobility problems and other serious health and welfare conditions.
With more than one billion chickens reared for meat in the UK each year, the welfare implications of intensive breeding practices are considerable.
CAWF believes that major food businesses have a responsibility to uphold their animal welfare commitments and help drive meaningful improvements across the industry.
Lorraine Platt, co-founder of Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation said:
“Millions of chickens continue to suffer as a result of breeding practices that prioritise rapid growth over animal welfare.
“Pret A Manger made a public commitment to improve the lives of chickens in its supply chain, and it is deeply disappointing that meaningful progress towards adopting slower-growing breeds has yet to be achieved.
“Businesses must be held accountable for the animal welfare commitments they make. We urge Pret to demonstrate genuine leadership by publishing a credible, time-bound plan to end its reliance on fast-growing chickens and deliver the higher welfare standards it promised.”
The letter comes following a demonstration in London on Tuesday 13 October, organised as part of the Break From Pret campaign, which saw animal protection campaigners march from Trafalgar Square to Pret A Manger’s headquarters to call for urgent action.
By adding its name to the open letter, CAWF is reaffirming its commitment to improving the welfare of farmed animals and ending breeding practices that cause unnecessary suffering.
CAWF urges Pret A Manger to honour its original commitment and take meaningful steps towards a more humane future for chickens in its supply chain.