News

Humane Society honors QSR chains

January 13, 2011

The Humane Society of the United States has given its inaugural Corporate Progress Award to Burger King Corp. in recognition of its work to improve the welfare of animals in its supply chain.

Burger King was the first major quick-service chain to implement animal welfare policies aimed at reducing factory farm abuses, including the cage confinement of egg-laying hens in 2007.

In 2010, as part of its BK Positive Steps corporate responsibility program, Burger King continued decreasing its usage of eggs from caged hens by incorporating more cage-free eggs into its supply chain. Other chains followed suit, including Wendy’s, Subway, Sonic, Quiznos, Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr.

“Burger King Corp. has been an industry leader in improving conditions for animals in its supply chain,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of HSUS. “We applaud the company’s work to reduce animal suffering and hope that more companies will continue following its lead.”

Subway also recognized

Subway also was recently recognized by the Humane Society, earning a 2010 HSUS Corporate Progress Award in recognition of its work to improve the lives of farm animals. 

Last year, Subway committed to switching 100-percent of its eggs to cage-free; the first QSR to do so.

“We are working with our partners at The Humane Society of the United States and our franchisee-owned Independent Purchasing Cooperative, which sources products and negotiates pricing contracts for Subway franchisees to take the steps needed to do this," said Michele DiNello, Subway’s director of corporate communication. "There is much work to be done, but we are committed to conducting business in a manner consistent with accepted social practices."

Just last week, the HSUS also honored Sonic Corp. for its forward-thinking animal welfare policy revolved around its efforts to phase in cage-free eggs and pork from suppliers that do not confine breeding pigs in gestation crates.