Victory for hens as bakeries commit to go cage-free

In November, the Open Wing Alliance—a global coalition of 80 major animal protection organisations across 63 countries—urged parent companies Focus Brands and Groupe Le Duff to commit to going 100% cage-free worldwide. Just 17 days later, we celebrated a major victory as both food conglomerates agreed to eliminate cruel and outdated battery cages from their egg supply chains for all brands and locations.

Making a difference for chickens

The scale and global nature of these commitments will make a huge difference to animals. Cages have no place in any food system and we've been working in the UK and globally to persuade companies to remove them from their supply chains.

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It’s evident that cage-free is becoming the future of the food industry.

“Due to the massive size of Focus Brands’ and Groupe Le Duff’s global supply chains, these monumental commitments to exclusively source cage-free eggs will reduce the suffering of millions of hens raised to lay eggs throughout the world,” says Alexandria Beck, Director of Open Wing Alliance. “This policy involves some of the most influential brands—including bakeries that use more eggs than most restaurants. It’s evident that cage-free is becoming the future of the food industry."

What is Focus Brands?

Focus Brands is a leading developer of global multi-channel foodservice brands, including Cinnabon, Auntie Anne’s, Jamba, Carvel, McAlister’s Deli, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and Schlotzsky’s.

They operate in over 6,000 locations across 60 countries—locations that are now committing to using only cage-free eggs. Focus Brands released a global cage-free commitment for all of its brands and locations, with an agreement to transition from battery cages in the United States and Canada by 2026 and worldwide by 2028.

What is Groupe Le Duff?

A French conglomerate with over 1,300 locations around the world, Groupe Le Duff owns several restaurant and agri-business brands including the French bakery Brioche Dorée.

In the past, the company claimed to be committed to “high-quality, healthy dishes” and the “freshness, friendliness and simplicity” of its food, but it sourced its eggs from caged hens.

Thanks to animal activists across the world, that’s poised to change. Groupe Le Duff released a cage-free commitment for all of its brands and locations globally, agreeing to transition from battery cages by 2025. The company also agreed to provide annual progress reports to ensure they meet this deadline.

Why are Focus Brands and Groupe Le Duff’s global policies good for chickens?

On factory farms, hens that lay eggs can be confined to either barren or enriched cages. While barren cages are banned in the UK, enriched cages are commonly used.

Whether barren or enriched, these cages are so restrictive that hens can’t engage in their natural behaviours and barely have space for their own bodies. Chickens can sustain injuries like broken bones and feather loss. Worse, some end up getting trampled to death by their fellow chickens.

Improving the wellbeing of hens raised on factory farms starts with eliminating cage systems.

A cage-free future is coming. Global companies and industry leaders around the world have been abandoning cages as consumer demand for cage-free eggs grows. Some of the largest companies in the world have committed to ending the use of cages, including KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Burger King, Krispy Kreme, Unilever, and Nestlé.

How can I help?

Together, we’re working to put an end to the abuse of animals raised for food. This incredible victory shows that the future is cage-free, and momentum is on our side.

Take action with us, and join thousands of activists around the globe in prompting corporations that profit from animal abuse to change their policies.