In a shocking reversal, fast food giant KFC has abandoned its highly publicized pledge to improve animal welfare standards in its UK supply chain. The company announced in 2019 that it would transition to using slower-growing chicken breeds by 2026 as part of the Better Chicken Commitment. However, KFC now admits it will not meet this target, citing inadequate supply from the poultry industry.
The Rise of “Frankenchickens”
Animal welfare advocates have long criticized the use of fast-growing chicken breeds, dubbed “Frankenchickens,” in industrial poultry farming. These birds are bred to grow rapidly, often leading to severe health issues such as high mortality rates, lameness, and muscle disease. Over 1 billion chickens are slaughtered for meat in the UK each year, with the vast majority being fast-growing breeds.
When KFC signed onto the Better Chicken Commitment in 2019, it was hailed as a major victory for animal welfare. The company pledged to meet six key targets by 2026, including adopting slower-growing breeds and reducing maximum stocking density to give birds more space. KFC restaurants across the UK, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden all committed to the initiative.
Broken Promises and Lack of Progress
However, KFC’s 2024 annual progress report reveals that a mere 1% of its chickens in the UK and Ireland come from slower-growing breeds. The company now claims that its 2026 goal is unachievable due to the poultry industry’s failure to transition to these higher-welfare breeds at a sufficient scale.
“We’re not saying we’re never going to. But we’re saying for 2026, and the way the market has developed, or lack of, we’re not going to be able to do it.
– Ruth Edge, Head of Sustainability, KFC UK & Ireland
While KFC maintains it is still working to source chickens from farms with lower stocking densities, animal welfare groups are outraged by the company’s backpedaling. The Humane League accuses KFC of “breaking their promises to animals” and vows to protest until a new timeline for adopting the Better Chicken Commitment is established.
Industry Resistance and Supply Challenges
KFC attributes its failure to meet the commitment to a lack of available supply, arguing that not enough farmers are switching to slower-growing chicken breeds. Transitioning to these higher-welfare animals involves increased costs, which has made many in the industry reluctant to make the change.
Other major food companies, including Marks & Spencer, Subway, Nestlé, and Greggs, have also signed onto the Better Chicken Commitment. However, progress has been slow across the board, with the 2026 deadline looming.
The use of Frankenchickens is the biggest animal welfare crisis of our time, and we will not tolerate companies breaking their promises to animals.
– Katie Ferneyhough, The Humane League
Pressure Mounts for KFC to Recommit
Animal welfare organizations argue that KFC, as a major buyer, has the power to create the necessary demand for slower-growing chicken breeds. “We are in touch with companies that can supply KFC with the slower-growing chickens it needs to fulfill its commitment,” says Connor Jackson, co-founder of Open Cages. The charity finds KFC’s less than 1% progress “very concerning.”
The RSPCA also urges KFC “to do all they can to transition to using only slower-growing breeds as soon as possible.” Public pressure is mounting for the fast food chain to recommit to the Better Chicken Commitment and establish a new timeline for implementation.
The Future of Chicken Welfare in Fast Food
KFC’s broken pledge raises concerns about the future of animal welfare in the fast food industry. While the company claims it remains committed to the “essential framework” of the Better Chicken Commitment, its failure to meet its own targets underscores the challenges in transforming entrenched industrial farming practices.
As consumers become increasingly aware of the ethical implications of their food choices, pressure is growing on fast food giants to prioritize animal welfare. KFC’s abandonment of its pledge is a major setback, but advocates hope that sustained public outcry will force the company, and the broader industry, to recommit to meaningful change.
The battle over “Frankenchickens” is far from over. With billions of animals at stake and mounting consumer demands for corporate social responsibility, the future of chicken welfare in fast food hangs in the balance. Will KFC and its competitors rise to the challenge, or will they continue to prioritize profits over animal well-being? Only time, and the force of public opinion, will tell.
