What are ‘frankenchickens’? Pret boycott over animal welfare concerns

Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleActivists are protesting outside a London Pret outlet (Anima)Customers are boycotting Pret A Manger over the sandwich giant's decision to delay its pledge to stop using "frankenchickens," birds bred to grow so rapidly they suffer chronic pain and heart failure. Pret had initially promised to cease using these rapidly growing chicken breeds by 2026, but earlier this year, the company pushed back this commitment to 2032, sparking outrage among animal welfare campaigners and customers. Animal rights organisations, including Anima and Project Slingshot, have launched a £1 million public campaign, supported by celebrities like Paul McCartney and Joanna Lumley, accusing Pret of an "unacceptable" 14-year delay and ignoring the social media backlash. The boycott has led to over 2,200 comments on Pret's social media accounts and approximately 74,000 people signing a pledge to stop or reduce their visits to the chain. Pret stated it remains committed to the Better Chicken Commitment, meeting five of its six standards, and expressed disappointment at being targeted while other businesses have abandoned higher welfare reforms entirely, though it did not address the broken 2026 promise directly. In fullCustomer fury as Pret refuses to reverse ‘frankenchicken’ broken pledge despite social media stormMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Raccontata daindependent.co.uk