Coffee chain Starbucks has signed up to the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC) for its UK stores.
This require its suppliers to meet the policy’s strict welfare requirements for 100% of their fresh, frozen and processed chicken by the end of 2026, affecting all of their 1,000+ UK stores.
Starbucks said it will work closely with farmers and suppliers to enact the change, as well as annually reporting on its progress.
Matthew Melton, corporate relations manager at The Humane League UK, said: “Starbucks is a household name, and another huge company signing onto the Better Chicken Commitment shows that the policy is going from strength to strength.
“With Starbucks committing, those companies refusing to sign the BCC are increasingly becoming outliers, and will be responsible for a disproportionate amount of animal cruelty.”
With Starbucks now signed up, seven of the UK’s 10 largest restaurant chains will be BCC compliant by 2026, including Greggs, Pret a Manger, KFC, Pizza Hut, Nando’s, Burger King and Subway.
Mr Melton said this commitment makes Starbucks stand out against competitors like Caffè Nero and Costa, which have refused to sign the policy.