By pledging in April to remove all antibiotics important in human medicine from its broiler supply chain by the end of 2018, KFC made more progress in the area antibiotic stewardship than any of the other Top 25 restaurant chains in the United States, according to the Chain Reaction III report.
The report, in its third year, is a collaboration between Friends of the Earth, ConsumersUnion, Natural Resources Defense Council, Center for Food Safety, Food Animal Concerns Trust and U.S. PIRG Education Fund. The report was created as concerns grow about the potential link between antibiotic use in animal agriculture and antimicrobial resistance.
In the report, the top 25 restaurant chains in the United States are given a grade, much like a student would in school.
In the Chain Reaction II report of 2016, only nine of the nation’s largest restaurant chains received passing grades, but the latest report gives a passing grade to 14 chains.
From failing to passing
KFC made the biggest stride over the past year, according to the report, going from a failing grade to receiving a B-.
Also moving from a failing grade was Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, Jack in the Box and Burger King. Starbucks received a D+, while the other three chains received a D. Dunkin Donuts received a D in the first Chain Reaction report, but was downgraded to an F in 2016.
Others to improve
Subway edged closer to an A grade, moving from a B to a B+. Taco Bell, which like KFC is a unit of Yum! Brands, improved from a C to a B-.
Restaurants maintaining status
Chipotle and Panera Bread were for the third consecutive year the only two chains to receive an A grade. Chick-fil-A held steady with a B grade.
Others with passing grades that remained the same as they were in 2016 were McDonald’s, C+; Wendy’s, C; Pizza Hut, D+; and Papa John’s D.
Chains to get failing grades
Restaurants to receive Fs were Dairy Queen, Sonic, Olive Garden, Applebee’s, Domino’s, Chili’s, Little Caesars, Arby’s, IHOP, Cracker Barrel and Buffalo Wild Wings.
All of those chains received failing grades in the Chain Reaction II report, except Cracker Barrel, which was not included in the 2016 report. Cracker Barrel replaced Denny’s in the 2017 list. Denny’s did not receive a passing grade in 2016.
However, Domino’s has stated it does not necessarily view antibiotic use as a good thing and that giving animals raised for food production needed medication is the right thing to do.
“Our company’s belief is that it is less humane to leave an animal sick. It is actually more humane to treat a sick animal,” Tim McIntyre, Domino’s executive vice president of communication, investor relations and legislative affairs, said while speaking at the 2017 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit.
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