Pret under fire for delayed ‘frankenchicken’ pledge

All of Pret’s London outposts are set to be visited by activists from the animal welfare organisation Anima, in what is believed to be the most expensive campaign directed at a UK food operator.

The activist campaign also include a ‘world’s biggest Pret wrap’ stunt involving a four-metre-long replica of a fast growing chicken, alongside paid advertising across newspapers, London tube stations and mobile billboards.

The campaign comes after Pret reneged on its 2018 pledge to phase fast-growing chickens out of its supply chain by 2026 in favour of slower-growing breeds as part of its support of the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC).

While Pret’s QSR competitors including Nando’s, KFC, Wagamama and Burger King withdrew from the BCC in February, Pret is still a member – but in April announced that it had delayed its original timeline and now aims to source 50% slower-growing chicken breeds by 2031, and 100% by 2032.

The food-to-go chain, which currently sources 100% of its chicken from fast-growing breeds, is compliant with all of the BCC’s other rules.

Anima chief executive Connor Jackson rejected Pret’s revised timeline as an attempt “to kick the can five years down the road” and said that the activist group’s campaign would continue until “Pret delivers to a credible plan towards fulfilment”.

A spokesperson for Pret said: “We are disappointed that this campaign group have chosen to target one of the few businesses that remains signed up to the Better Chicken Commitment. Across our UK shops, we only use higher-welfare British chicken, all of which already meets five of the six Better Chicken Commitment standards. We are actively working with industry partners, including Compassion in World Farming, to reach full compliance and have set out a clear roadmap for meeting that commitment.

“By targeting us, these activists are sending a signal that businesses that do the right thing will be criticised more than those who give up on higher welfare chicken.”

The campaign comes as Pret reported a 8% uplift in UK systems sales in the first four months of its financial year, spurred by increased customer numbers and expansion.

Pret CEO Pano Christou said: "We are encouraged by our start to 2026, particularly as more customers are choosing Pret despite the financial pressure many households continue to face. Over the past few years, we have invested significantly in our menu and in better value for money for our customers, while also continuing to support our amazing team members and improve the Pret customer experience.

"These results give us confidence that when we stay focused on the customer, we can continue to win the hearts and minds of Pret fans in the UK and around the world."