While the number of restaurant chains to sign broiler welfare pledges that align with either Global Animal Partnership (GAP) or Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) standards in the United States has slowed down in recent months, more Canadian businesses are making such pledges.
Five restaurant chains in December made the broiler welfare pledges, according to a commitment tracker webpage. Of those five, four are based in Canada. Those are: Craft Beer Market, Humpty’s, Sunset Grill and Panago Pizza.
Another Canadian restaurant business, La Prep, made a similar pledge in November. In all of the pledges, the companies vowed to transition their entire broiler supplies by 2024.
The one U.S. company to make a broiler welfare commitment in December was CAVA, which operates in Texas, California and the East Coast, with plans to expand into Tennessee.
All pledges also call for the use of controlled atmosphere stunning (CAS).
In announcing their broiler welfare commitments, CAVA and Craft Beer Market stated they worked with animal rights group Mercy for Animals in the development of the policies.
Of the companies making new commitments, only Humpty’s, which operates 45 locations in Canada, cited specific breeds that would be sources. On its website, it said that by 2026 it would source one of the following breeds: Hubbard JA757, 787,957 or 987; Rambler Ranger, Ranger Classic or Ranger Gold.
Panago Pizza’s policy stated that it is also in the process for establishing “milestones for pork and beef in collaboration with our suppliers.”
Among major restaurant chains to previously commit to sourcing either GAP- or RSPCA-approved broiler breeds are Subway, Panera Bread, TGI Fridays, Chipotle, Burger King, Tim Hortons, Popeyes, Dunkin’ Donuts, Sonic and Qdoba.
An infographic on WATTAgNet.com lists companies to commit to GAP or RSPCA standards as of October. The infographic will be updated in the coming weeks.
