Frankenchickens: Major Fast-Food Brands Scrap Animal Welfare Pledge, Including Nando’s And KFC

Several major fast-food brands, including Nando’s and KFC, have withdrawn from the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC) to continue using fast-growing chickens known as “frankenchickens.” The companies cited ongoing supply issues and environmental concerns as reasons for their decision to leave the pledge, with a full compliance deadline of 2026.

In response, the companies have joined the Sustainable Chicken Forum (SCF), which allows the use of fast-growing chickens. Animal welfare organizations criticize this move, asserting that breeding fast-growing chickens is a major source of animal suffering and is out of step with public sentiment. The Better Chicken Commitment, on the other hand, is science-based and addresses welfare issues caused by fast-growing birds raised in factory farms, including overcrowding and painful slaughter methods. Countries like Norway are already phasing out fast-growing chickens in favor of high-welfare, slow-growing poultry, and advocacy groups are committed to continuing this fight in the UK.