Animal Equality US exposes Denny’s CEO, Kelli Valade
Animal Equality has taken a direct approach by focusing public ads on Denny’s CEO, Kelli Valade. Full-page advertisements were published in the Sunday edition of the Allen American, Valade’s hometown newspaper, and the McKinney Courier-Gazette.
The message was also placed in the ad section of eight local newspapers, in print and online, where they ran for a month. These ads call on Denny’s, under Valade’s leadership, to take immediate action to end the confinement of mother pigs in gestation crates – a practice that extensive academic research has shown causes both physical harm and psychological distress. While cage-free isn’t cruelty-free – and the best way that anyone can help an animal is to not eat them – we are demanding that Denny’s ends its support of this needless and extreme form of animal abuse.
Just one of many actions to-date
Since launching our campaign against Denny’s in January 2023, Animal Equality’s team has staged over 20 protests in cities including Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas and outside of Nashville. Our tireless advocates displayed posters outside of Denny’s locations to encourage diners to reconsider their support.
In August 2023, Animal Equality’s campaign gained significant visibility with a billboard in New York’s Times Square, stating: ‘Denny’s, animal abuse is bad for business.’ The billboard featured a video of pigs confined in gestation crates, their distress evident as they were confined behind bars.
Following this, Animal Equality’s President, Sharon Núñez, and Campaigns Manager, Dane Charbeneau, took to the streets of New York City, distributing leaflets and sharing footage of the conditions within Denny’s supply chain. The reactions from passersby highlighted widespread public dismay at the revelations.
Our team even travelled to Denny’s Spartanburg, South Carolina headquarters, to deliver a document representing consumers’ messages, where they were met with hostility and turned away – a response that was not entirely surprising, considering the son of the Executive Director of Denny’s Franchise Association had previously given the middle finger to peaceful protestors.
Expanding the fight
As Denny’s continues to seemingly disregard the issue, Animal Equality has expanded its tactics. In late 2023, we focused on Den-Tex Central, one of Denny’s largest franchisees, urging owner Dawn La Freeda to oppose the use of gestation crates.
Additionally, we launched a campaign against Finn Partners, Denny’s international marketing and PR agency. Citing the firm’s professed ‘heart’ and ‘conscience’, we challenged Finn Partners to either convince Denny’s to drop the use of gestation crates or sever ties with the chain. This effort included a demonstration outside Finn Partners’ flagship location in New York City. Animal Equality supporters, including many from the UK, also sent messages to Finn Partners, reinforcing our united call for change.
Are gestation crates legal?
Despite growing momentum towards their prohibition, gestation crates remain legal in many parts of the world. Sweden led the charge by banning them in 1994, followed by the UK in 1999. New Zealand committed to phasing them out by 2015, and the European Union agreed to prohibit their use in 2013.
In the US, progress is also being made. States such as Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maine, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, and Rhode Island have introduced bans. California and Massachusetts have taken further steps by prohibiting the sale of meat from animals raised in gestation crates, regardless of where the meat is produced.
While these advances are promising, there is still a long way to go before gestation crates are fully eradicated worldwide.
And, it’s not just gestation crates…
Another troubling issue is the ongoing use of farrowing crates. In the UK, approximately 60% of mother pigs are confined in these restrictive cages from just before giving birth until their piglets are weaned at around 28 days of age. During this time, mother pigs often give birth alone, enduring a process that no mother should have to experience without love and care.
Farrowing crates, like gestation crates, impose severe restrictions on the mother pig’s movement, preventing her from turning around or lying down comfortably. The main difference is the timing: gestation crates confine pigs during pregnancy, while farrowing crates are used post-birth. Both are immensely cruel.
Disturbingly, many farms using these crates are Red Tractor-assured, despite the scheme’s promise of meat ‘farmed with care’. Animal Equality has documented numerous cases across UK pig farms where mother pigs are seen in distressing conditions, peering out from behind bars.
The future is plant-based
While all cages need to be banned, the broader issue is that no animal deserves to be farmed at all. Pigs should have the freedom to roll in the mud outdoors, build nests, and form meaningful bonds. Animal Equality is fighting relentlessly to achieve this vision, taking corporate action against companies like Denny’s and exposing the suffering of these animals through compelling footage and widespread media coverage.
The most impactful action you can take to end this cruelty is to switch to plant-based alternatives and inspire others to do the same. With so many delicious plant-based recipes available – including this mouthwatering sausage roll recipe – there is no excuse not to make the switch.
protect pigs
Pigs are highly social animals who are often considered smarter than dogs. You can protect these intelligent animals by simply choosing plant-based alternatives.
