Pano Christou. The CEO profiting off animal cruelty

Under CEO Pano Christou, Pret A Manger continues to profit from some of the most extreme animal suffering.

In 2018, Pret promised to stop using chickens whose bodies grow so fast they live in pain. Lameness, deformities, and severe heart and lung problems are part of their daily suffering.

Pret has made no progress towards phasing out this cruel breed and has pushed back its deadline to do so to 2032, without providing a plan forward — all while CEO Pano Christou receives millions, cuts worker breaks, and now chairs a royal-backed jobs network.

As CEO of Pret, Pano Christou is responsible for fulfilling this promise. It’s time to commit to protecting animals.

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Millions of pounds. Zero responsibility.

Unfortunately, cruelty and irresponsibility are nothing new for Mr Christou.

In 2021, Pret stopped paying shop workers for their breaks, effectively cutting their pay. That same year, Pret received more than £50 million in government support — while Pano received £4.2 million, including a near £4 million bonus.

This pattern of irresponsibility and greed must end. It’s time for Pret to keep its promise and end the suffering of chickens whose short lives are already filled with pain.

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Tell Pano Christou to fix this

Pano must prove he stands for more than profit. He has a responsibility to deliver change and provide real protections for chickens.

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Call on Pano Christou to take action

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Dear Mr. Christou,

Pret A Manger made a promise to millions of chickens. It promised to stop profiting from faster-growing chickens, who suffer from heart attacks, broken legs, body burns, and breathing difficulties from their unnaturally fast weight gain.

But despite having eight years to fulfil this promise, Pret has not delivered on its pledge to stop using this cruel breed. Now, you are delaying this pledge further, and without a public transition plan in place.

As the CEO, you are directly connected to this failure and you have the responsibility to act.

The Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy encouraged the uptake of the Better Chicken Commitment and the entire country of Norway – where over 70 million chickens are slaughtered for human consumption each year – has committed to stop using faster-growing chicken breeds by the end of 2027. Why won’t you?

Instead, Pret failed to implement its promise to phase out fast-growing chickens in time and has subsequently delayed it. You are leaving millions of chickens to suffer with every passing day.

Your leadership role brings with it expectations, and consumers want to see corporate accountability.

I am asking you to prove that Pret is back on track by issuing a clear, time-bound plan to end the use of faster-growing chickens. We don’t want a softened commitment – we want the real one.

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A Royal Scandal?

Pano Christou chairs the New Employment Opportunities Network, part of the Royal Foundation’s Homewards programme, which helps people at risk of homelessness into work.

This is vital work, but leading on social responsibility means keeping your own promises too. Pano can show the same leadership on animal protection by publishing a clear plan for Pret to phase out Frankenchickens.

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.

Start Your Plant-Based Journey

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