Fast-food chain Wendy’s announced on February 14 that it was making the switch to smaller chickens in its United States supply chain, citing that it believes meat from the smaller birds will be more tender and juicy.
According to a press release from the company, the birds will be 20 percent smaller, and will by far be “surpassing the standards of other restaurant brands.”
Wendy’s restaurants in Canada have already been sourcing smaller chickens, with customers reportedly being highly satisfied with their chicken products.
“We’re making this change because we’ve seen that smaller birds provide a big benefit for our customers who deserve to eat the most tender and juicy chicken,” Wendy’s President and CEO Todd Penegor said in a press release.
The company stated that its suppliers are working with quality assurance and animal welfare experts.
Other recent changes to Wendy’s supply chain
The decision to source smaller birds follows earlier decisions involving its supply of chicken meat and eggs. In August 2016, the company committed to eliminate the use of all antibiotics important to human health in its chicken supply by the end of 2017. The company announced in a press release on January 3 that it was halfway toward meeting that goal.
Wendy’s has also pledged to source only cage-free eggs for its U.S. and Canadian restaurants by 2020.
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