Pret A Manger Faces Animal Welfare Campaign Over Chicken Welfare Commitment

Animal welfare charity Anima launches a major campaign against Pret A Manger, accusing the chain of delaying its pledge to phase out fast-growing chicken breeds.

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.

The London campaign is expected to be highly visible. 

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) 

If Pret a Manger would like a right of reply, please contact That's Food and Drink.

Award-Winning Chef Jamie Rogers Named Executive Head Chef at the Millbrook Inn

There's good news for diners and lovers of good food in Devon in the Westcountry, because South Pool's Millbrook Inn has just announced the appointment of Jamie Rogers as its new executive chef.

Jamie, the celebrated owner of Kingsbridge's award-winning Twenty Seven restaurant, brings with him a whole wealth of experience and numerous accolades.

Recognised and acclaimed for his outstanding food, Jamie, who grew up in Wales, began his chef's career in Devon, beginning as a salad prep worker and cooking pot washer in the Cricket Inn in Beesands. 

Since that start to his career he's worked in some of the area's leading kitchens, including Tanners and the Barbican Kitchen, the Barbican's Glassblowing House, South Sands Hotel, plus the Langdon Court Hotel. He has also participated in Masterchef: The Professionals and was South West Chef of the Year.

Jamie said: “I'm thrilled to be joining the Millbrook Inn as their executive chef. It's a pub I've been an admirer for several years. Its reputation for serving some of the area's best food is well-deserved. I'm obviously looking forward to contributing to its continued success."

Jamie isn't abandoning his foodies haven, Twenty Seven which he opened back in 2018 and quickly established it as a destination for foodies across Devon and beyond, which he will continue to operate. The Millbrook Inn, also justifiably famed for its culinary offerings will provide Jamie with a new outlet for his skills. 

This will include using a Josper, an indoor oven that allows cooking over living flames. Jamie said: “The Josper will enable me to be really creative with my cooking."

Owners of The Millbrook Inn the Owens family, source most of the ingredients Jamie will cook with from Fowlescombe Farm, their family farm, with organic native and rare breed meats, plus home grown vegetables and fruit from the market garden.

“That much of the food is sourced from Fowlescombe Farm is an added bonus as I've always been committed to using top quality, local ingredients whenever possible," added Jamie.

The Owens family, who also own some holiday cottages near the pub, are pleased that delighted with the appointment of Jamie hss been appointed, saying: and said: “We are really excited that Jamie has joined us.”