Annie Evans
This positive step will drastically improve the lives of chickens in wagamama’s supply chain
Today, a huge step forward has been taken for chickens reared for meat.
Popular restaurant chain wagamama has announced that it will meet the higher chicken welfare standards laid out in the European Chicken Commitment (ECC) by 2026.
We applaud wagagama for this positive and meaningful step for chicken welfare across Europe.
The ECC contains six key measures addressing the major issues encountered in standard EU chicken production, including prohibiting the use of fast-growing breeds, reducing overcrowding, and adding environmental enrichment to provide better conditions for chickens.
Wagamama’s commitment was released in conjunction with the company’s new summer menu, which includes an innovative vegan egg, developed by pioneering plant-based chef Gaz Oakley.
According to wagamama, the company has seen a greater than 60 per cent increase in the number of customers choosing a vegan option as their main dish over the last year.
Here's what Ross Farquhar, wagamama's Chief Marketing Officer had to say:
More and more we’re seeing our guests choose to eat more mindfully, whether that’s by reducing how often they have meat or selecting restaurants that bring food to their plates responsibly and sustainably.
In the spirit of continuous improvement, or ‘kaizen’, we’re striving to lead the change, provide more and more innovative plant-based dishes and be true to the ‘positive eating, positive living’ ethos we were founded on.
In pledging to meet the ECC criteria, wagamama joins the ranks of an increasing number of companies looking to create meaningful change for chickens in their supply chains, including Pret a Manger, Prezzo, ASK Italian, Zizzi, Marks and Spencer, and Waitrose.
It is so encouraging to witness this growing number of companies not only turning their backs on intensively farmed chicken, but making it easier for their customers to leave animals off their plate every day.
Here’s to wagamama, better chicken welfare, and more vegan options! And, to a future free from animal abuse.
