Animal Equality protests at Pret headquarters over broken chicken welfare promise
Animal Equality has launched a campaign calling on Pret A Manger CEO, Pano Christou, to publish a detailed plan for removing fast-growing ‘Frankenchicken’ flesh from its shops.
The campaign began with a day of peaceful protest outside Pret’s head office at 10 Bressenden Place in London. Animal Equality is now the third animal protection group to target the chain over its abandoned chicken pledge.
We will keep up the pressure for as long as it takes Pret to show it’s serious about keeping its promise to chickens
– Abigail Penny, Executive Director of Animal Equality UK
A promise pushed back
In 2018, Pret pledged to stop exploiting chickens that are ‘fast-growing’ by 2026. These birds are bred to grow far too big, far too fast, that many cannot stand, suffer from broken leg bones, have heart attacks, sit in their own waste, and suffer extremely during their short six-week lives.
While chickens will always live miserable lives in factory farms, whether fast or slow-growing, Pret made a promise to these animals and we expect it to be delivered.
Pret has made no progress in fulfilling its promise to stop profiting off of Frankenchickens and has since pushed its deadline back to 2032. It is now refusing to publish a detailed plan as to how it plans to meet this new deadline.
An industry in retreat
Chickens continue to be desperately let down by many major corporations. In February 2026, eight hospitality businesses withdrew from the ‘Better Chicken Commitment’ – which includes a promise to end the exploitation of Frankenchickens – causing outcry. Together they own or franchise 18 brands, including Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut, Nando’s, Wagamama, Wingstop, Bella Italia and Frankie & Benny’s.
Pret claims that it is different and that it still intends to fulfil its commitment to stop exploiting Frankenchickens, but having made zero progress over the past eight years, and with no credible public plan to reassure consumers, it simply cannot be believed. To that end, it risks failing animals as much as all of the other companies who have openly reneged on their pledge, while still attempting to give the impression it cares about these animals.
Growing pressure on Pret
Cruelty and irresponsibility are nothing new for Pano Christou, as evidenced by its decision in 2021 to stop paying shop workers for their breaks. That same year, Pret received more than £50 million in government support, while Christou received a bonus of almost £4 million.
The protest follows a march on 13th October from Trafalgar Square to Pret’s headquarters. Hundreds of people gathered there to deliver “the world’s longest animal petition,” supported by nearly 100,000 people. The petition was started by animal advocacy NGO Anima, whose campaign against Pret is backed by £1 million. Project Slingshot is also targeting the chain and has spent recent months running advertisements across the London Underground, reaching millions of passersby.
Animal Equality has contacted Christou directly in the hope of meaningful dialogue but has so far received no response.
Abigail Penny, Executive Director of Animal Equality UK, said:
Pret made this promise because it knows these chickens suffer excruciating pain. But a broken promise doesn’t help a single bird, and so far we’ve seen nothing to suggest the 2032 deadline is any more real than the 2026 one Pret has already abandoned. If Pret really has a roadmap, it must publish it today. The moment we see a credible plan, this campaign ends. Until then, we’ll keep showing up.
The kindest future for chickens is one where they’re no longer farmed at all. But for the over one billion birds trapped in filthy factory farms across the UK every year, companies like Pret have the power to reduce their suffering. Using that power is the very least these animals deserve.
How to help
If you would like to partake in this campaign, sign our petition and add your voice to call for the end of this suffering. To help all animals and contribute to a more compassionate world, try our free plant-based cookbook.
Protect chickens
Chickens are among the most abused land animals on the planet. But you hold the power to change this! Choose plant-based to protect chickens from a life of suffering.
