Compassion in World Farming has today (12 March) published its latest European ChickenTrack report, evaluating how leading food companies are progressing toward meeting the higher welfare criteria of the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC). The BCC is a comprehensive, science-based framework designed to improve the lives of millions of chickens raised for meat each year.
Across Europe, over 410 companies have signed up to the BCC. ChickenTrack 2025 evaluates the progress of the 107 most influential signatories—with the potential to improve the lives of more than 794 million chickens each year—by assessing their performance against each BCC criterion*. The report provides a clear picture of where companies are making meaningful progress, where momentum has slowed, and where further action is needed.
Significant progress has been made by several companies this year, resulting in 163 million chickens benefitting from the on-farm welfare improvements. Waitrose made a remarkable jump on its breed transition—from 14% to 100% in just one year—demonstrating that full transition is achievable. Both Waitrose and REMA 1000 Norge AS have achieved full BCC compliance ahead of the 2026 deadline, joining Norsk Kylling, which achieved 100% compliance in 2022. This year, 76 of the 107 companies reported on their progress, up from 64 of 93 companies in the 2024 ChickenTrack report. This lifts the overall reporting rate from 69% to 71%. Nineteen companies were added to this year’s report, with 16 already reporting on their progress.
Overall, ChickenTrack 2025 results show increased progression across each criterion (vs 2024 results) with most progress to date being on the provision of natural light (10 companies 100% compliant), enrichment (9 companies 100% compliant) and the use of Controlled Atmosphere Stunning (CAS) (8 companies 100% compliant). The most challenging areas of improvement remain the adoption of slower-growing breeds and stocking density.
Some companies worthy of praise are Cortilia, Eataly Italy, Groupe Casino, Big Mamma France and Premier Foods which have reached 50% or more for all the on-farm criteria (stocking density, breed, natural light and enrichment). Big Mamma France was compliant with all BCC criteria except third party auditing. HelloFresh is the only company to have improved in each criterion by at least 10 percentage points since 2024. In sharp contrast, however, eight companies, including Burger King UK, KFC Germany and Denmark and Plukon Food Group, show less than 20% transition across all the on-farm criteria.
The shift to slower growing breeds shows the lowest level of progress. Thirty-six companies report less than 10% transition on breed, with 17 at 0% transition including: Compass Group, Burger King, Papa Johns, and KFC UK & Ireland is at 0.7%. More positively, 16 companies have reached 30% or more progress on breed transition, including nine at 50% or more (vs three in 2024). Eataly Italy reached 90% progress with a 10-percentage point increase from 2024, and both Les 3 Brasseurs and Fileni were up 12 percentage points from 2024.
Stocking density has proved a sticking point for many too, although eight companies have achieved 100% transition on stocking density, including Greggs, Marks & Spencer, Big Mamma France and Pret. The largest year-on-year improvement was recorded by Marks & Spencer and Greggs which increased from 31% and 65% respectively to full compliance. Progress on stocking density at 50% or more has also doubled, rising from eight companies in 2024 to 17 in 2025, including Nando’s and Papa Johns. However, 31 companies remain below 20% compliance and 24 of those are below 10%.
Stocking density is the most improved criterion among the UK companies assessed, rising from an average of 38% transition in 2024 to 68% in 2025. Since Sainsbury’s adopted a maximum stocking density of 30kg/m2 in 2023, a further seven UK supermarkets have followed suit, meaning eight of the 12 major UK supermarkets now apply this standard to their fresh chicken.
Unfortunately, 31 of the 107 companies in ChickenTrack 2025 are failing to report**. In the UK, these are predominantly food service companies, including: Chipotle Mexican Grill, Subway and TGI Fridays. However, most disappointing of all, is the recent decision by 18 UK brands – including Burger King, Nando’s, Bella Italia, Wagamama, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and KFC, as well as Prezzo and Unilever – to withdraw from their BCC commitments. Many of the hospitality companies cite breed transition challenges as the reason for stepping back. However, without breed change, birds cannot fully benefit from other welfare improvements, such as reduced stocking density and provision of natural light, as rapid growth rates continue to drive serious health and welfare problems. The food service sector has already shown progress on several other BCC criteria and should continue moving forward rather than reversing course.
Compassion in World Farming has offered timeline extensions to support companies with their BCC implementation, in recognition of the genuine operational challenges involved. But ultimately, companies must continue advancing their commitments if they are serious about broiler welfare.
Moving forward, Compassion in World Farming urges all BCC signatories to publish a clear, forward-looking transition roadmap, supported by a detailed action plan, to ensure a successful transition. Encouragingly, eight more companies published roadmaps this year, bringing the total to 12: Buffalo Grill, Metro France, La Boucherie Restaurants, Daunat, Danone Group, Hill’s Pet Nutrition Europe, Api Restauration, Groupe Holder, Fileni, Quick France, Big Mamma Group and Big Mamma France. Publishing robust roadmaps is essential for any company committed to improving broiler welfare. Stakeholders increasingly expect this level of transparency to demonstrate genuine ambition and accountability.
Dr Tracey Jones, Global Director of Food Business, Compassion in World Farming concludes: “There is genuine cause for celebration this year, with retailers such as Waitrose and REMA 1000 achieving 100% Better Chicken Commitment compliance and clear progress being made across all criteria.
“However, overall momentum remains slow, particularly on breed change, despite it being a cornerstone of higher-welfare chicken production. It is extremely disappointing to see several UK hospitality companies stepping back from their Better Chicken Commitments at a time when Better Chicken production is expanding, farmers are embracing this way of farming, and consumers are showing strong support through their purchasing choices. Companies delivering Better Chicken are demonstrating that it is possible to balance welfare, cost and sustainability.
“Over the past two years, UK retailers have played a pivotal role in driving progress on stocking density. Their continued influence and ambition will be equally crucial in accelerating progress on breed transition in the years ahead. Only when all BCC criteria are fully implemented will chickens experience genuinely better lives they deserve.
“Companies must stay the course, act decisively, and ensure that animal welfare sits at the heart of every supply chain decision. We applaud those companies leading the way and continuing their progress towards better chicken.”
Compassion in World Farming supports companies in fulfilling their BCC commitments through the Better Chicken Business Network (BCBN), which brings together stakeholders from across the supply chain. The BCBN provides practical tools, such as the BCC Supplier and Distributor list to support companies in addressing sourcing needs.
This year, the BCBN launches its Matchmaking Service to connect companies with producers to enable pre-competitive sourcing, helping companies move from commitment to implementation. The Food Business Team also offers one-to-one consultancy for companies needing bespoke guidance.
To contact the Food Business Team, visit https://www.compassioninfoodbusiness.com/contact/
