One of the UK's best-known high street food chains has found itself at the centre of a major animal welfare campaign after campaigners accused the company of failing to honour a long-standing commitment to improve chicken welfare standards.
Animal welfare charity Anima launched a high-profile protest in central London this week, unveiling a giant mechanical "Frankenwrap" outside Pret A Manger's Oxford Circus branch.
The eye-catching sculpture, which resembles an oversized Pret chicken wrap stuffed with a whole chicken complete with feathers, marks the start of a week-long campaign targeting multiple Pret locations across the capital.
The campaign centres on Pret's decision to delay a pledge it made in 2018 to stop using fast-growing chicken breeds in its supply chain. At the time, the company committed to transitioning to slower-growing breeds by 2026 as part of wider efforts to improve animal welfare standards.
However, according to Anima, Pret has now pushed that target back to 2032 and has yet to make any meaningful progress towards introducing slower-growing chickens into its supply chain.
Connor Jackson, Chief Executive of Anima, claims the delay has left customers believing they are supporting higher welfare practices when, in reality, the chickens used remain the same fast-growing breeds commonly supplied to major fast-food chains.
The charity argues that these breeds have been selectively bred to grow at an exceptionally rapid rate, which animal welfare groups say can lead to health and mobility issues during the birds' lives.
Alongside the touring Frankenwrap sculpture, advertising highlighting the issue is appearing across the London Underground network, while newspaper advertisements are also planned throughout the week.
Anima says it previously attempted to engage with Pret privately but has now decided to take its concerns directly to consumers. The organisation is encouraging customers to reconsider visiting Pret until progress is made on the company's original welfare commitment.
The campaign highlights the growing importance of animal welfare in consumer food choices. Increasingly, shoppers want to know not only where their food comes from, but also how it is produced.
Whether the pressure will prompt Pret to revisit its timetable remains to be seen, but the issue serves as another reminder that food ethics and animal welfare continue to play an increasingly important role in the UK's food and drink industry.
Incidentally, Pret A Manger's own 2025 Progress Update confirms 0% adoption of slower-growing breeds in UK, US and France. The company's new plan targets 50% by 2031 and 100% by 2032, with no steps until 2031. https://assets.ctfassets.net/4zu8gvmtwqss/j2iieCUwjKdP38sRMnaJv/26788fb29e541489d7814aa4da005288/Pret_A_Manger_Better_Chicken_Commitment_Progress_Update_2025.pdf
(Images used are courtesy of Tom Woolard / Anima)
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