Chris Packham Joins Protest as Chicken Welfare Dispute Puts Pret Under Pressure

One of Britain's best-known naturalists has joined campaigners calling for improved chicken welfare, as a growing dispute over farming standards places Pret A Manger under the spotlight.

Wildlife broadcaster and conservationist Chris Packham (PICTURED) led protesters in London, saying he will not visit a Pret café until the company delivers on a promise it made in 2018 to stop using fast-growing chicken breeds.

The controversy centres on so-called "fast-growing" broiler chickens, sometimes referred to by campaigners as "frankenchickens." 

Animal welfare organisations argue selective breeding has produced birds that grow so rapidly they are more likely to suffer from mobility problems, bone deformities and other health issues during their short lives.

Speaking at the demonstration, Packham said he was "absolutely furious" Pret had delayed its original commitment. He described the lives of many fast-growing chickens as "a horror story dressed up as a lunch menu" and urged the company to produce what he considers a credible timetable for change.

Pret originally pledged to phase out these breeds by 2026. However, campaign groups including Anima and Project Slingshot say the company has now postponed that target until 2032. Their campaign has attracted tens of thousands of signatures and includes a reported £1 million public awareness drive aimed at encouraging consumers to question where their food comes from.

Pret, however, rejects suggestions that it has abandoned its commitment. The company says it remains one of the few major food businesses still committed to transitioning away from fast-growing chicken breeds, even though it has extended its timetable.

The latest protest featured an eye-catching four-metre animatronic "Frankenwrap", which has already attracted millions of views on social media after appearing outside several Pret cafés across London. The demonstration took place outside the company's Waterloo Road branch and is part of an ongoing campaign intended to keep pressure on the retailer.

The dispute also raises wider questions about food production and consumer expectations. Increasingly, shoppers want reassurance that the meat they buy has been produced to higher welfare standards, while businesses face the practical and financial challenges of changing long-established supply chains.

Whether the latest campaign will persuade Pret to accelerate its plans remains to be seen. What is clear is that animal welfare continues to be an issue that resonates strongly with many consumers, and companies making public environmental or ethical commitments can expect those promises to be closely scrutinised in the years ahead.

To learn more about Frankenchickens please visit https://thehumaneleague.org.uk/Who-is-selling-you-Frankenchickens