Library:Count Your Chickens Report 2023 (report)
The Count Your Chickens Report is published by Mercy For Animals.
Introduction: Since 2016, more than 200 companies in North America have adopted the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC), a set of standards to address the suffering of chickens raised for meat. Corporate accountability remains a key issue, as many companies have yet to demonstrate progress on their commitments.
The State of the U.S. Chicken Industry: In the United States alone, more than nine billion chickens are slaughtered every year. Their short lives are often spent in agony, and they are killed at the young age of five to seven weeks.
The BCC in 2023: More than twice as many companies are demonstrating progress toward their broiler chicken welfare policies now than at the time of the first edition of Mercy For Animals’ Count Your Chickens Report.
Company Rankings: Companies are graded based on their public policy, demonstrated progress, and published roadmap toward policy fulfillment. Grade A companies have reported their BCC progress to date and published roadmaps for fulfilling their policy commitments. Companies are graded from A to F based on their public policy, demonstrated progress, and published roadmap toward policy fulfillment. Grade A companies have reported their BCC progress to date and published roadmaps for fulfilling their policy commitments. Grade F companies have not reported progress, and their policy statements are partial, diminished, or no longer public.
Companies receiving an A
The companies to receive an A grade were rated as such because they have reported their progress toward meeting their BCC goals and have published roadmaps for fulfilling their policy commitments:
- Aramark
- Blue Apron
- Blue Sushi Sake Grill
- Campfire Treats
- Evermore
- Hellofresh
- Norwegian Cruise Lines
- Peet’s Coffee
- Pret A Manger
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Sun Basket
- Sweetgarden
Companies receiving an A-
The companies to receive an A- have reported more than 50% progress for at least two BCC policy components. They have also published clear roadmaps for fulfilling their policy commitments. Those companies are:
- Applegate
- Butcherbox
- Farmer’s Fridge
- Giant Eagle
- Good Chop
- Ikea
- Marley Spoon
- Natural Grocers
- Nona Lim
- Nugget’s Healthy Eats
- Open Farm
- PCC Community Markets
- Port Townsend Food Co-op.
- Southwest Foodservice Excellence
- Square Baby
- The Honest Kitchen
- Thrive Market
- Whole Foods Market
Companies receiving a B grade
The companies to receive a B grade, according to the report, have reported more than 50% progress for at least one BCC Commitment, but have not published any clear roadmaps for fulfilling their policy commitments. Those companies are:
- Compass Group USA
- Jack in the Box
- Panera Bread
- Shake Shack
Companies receiving a C grade
The companies that have reported some progress toward their broiler welfare goals but have not achieved 50% progress for any element of the BCC and have not published any roadmaps to policy fulfillment received a C grade. Those companies are:
- Bento Sushi and Snowfox Group
- Chipotle
- Earth Animal
- The Cheesecake Factory
- Unilever
Companies receiving a D grade
Companies that received a D grade do not have broiler welfare policies that cover the full list of BCC requirements. However, their policies align with some elements of the BCC and they are reporting progress toward their broiler welfare goals. No roadmaps to policy commitment fulfillments have been offered by them, either. Companies to be graded with a D are:
- Albertsons
- Campbell’s
- Kroger
- McDonald’s
Companies receiving a D- grade
These companies received a D- from Mercy for Animals because they have BCC policies but have neither reported measurable progress nor have they published roadmaps for policy fulfillment:
- Au Bon Pain
- Boston Market
- BurgerFi
- Burgerville
- Caribou
- Creative Dining Services
- Delaware North
- Elior North America
- Epicurean Feast Cafes
- First Watch
- Focu Brands
- Frisch’s Big Boy
- HHS Culinary
- Just Salad
- Noodles & Company
- Pollo Tropical
- Red Robin
- Restaurant Brands International
- Sodexo
- Starbucks
- Subway
- TGI Fridays
- White Castle
- Woworks
Companies receiving an F grade
The following companies received failing grades by Mercy for Animals because they have not reported any progress toward meeting their BCC policies and their policy statements are partial, diminished or no longer public:
- Cava
- Chopt
- Denny’s
- Dunkin’
- Le Pain Quotidien
- Nathan’s Famous
- Oak View
- Snap Kitchen
- Sonic Drive-In
- Unfi
Looking Ahead: By implementing BCC promises, businesses will meaningfully impact the lives of millions of animals. Companies can take practical steps to accelerate their progress such as publishing milestone-backed transition roadmaps and publicly reporting annual progress.