DUBLIN, Ohio, Jan. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wendy's Company (NASDAQ: WEN) today announced that it will transition to 100 percent cage-free eggs in its U.S. and Canadian locations by 2020. The announcement represents the next step in Wendy's® overarching animal welfare program. Since the late 1990s, the Company has worked with animal welfare experts to audit its suppliers' animal handling practices. In 2001, the Company established its Animal Welfare Council and adopted a comprehensive animal welfare program covering all meat suppliers. The Company has also committed to eliminating the use of gestation stalls from its pork supply chain by 2022 and continues to make good progress against that goal. Wendy's develops and updates its animal welfare standards for suppliers in consultation with a network of third-party experts including veterinarians, supply chain leaders, and animal welfare advocates.
"Animal welfare is a core part of our company's role as a responsible corporate citizen," said Liliana Esposito, Wendy's Chief Communications Officer. "We're proud of our commitment to move to 100 percent cage-free eggs for our breakfast items and will continue to incorporate evolving best practices in the areas of animal handling and welfare into our supply chain requirements."
Josh Balk, Humane Society of the United States Senior Food Policy Director, applauded the move, saying, "We appreciate Wendy's leadership over the years in creating a more humane supply chain. The company's cage-free eggs announcement further demonstrates its commitment to ensure farm animals have better lives."
The commitment to 100 percent cage-free egg purchasing affects the more than 400 Wendy's locations in the U.S. and Canada that serve breakfast.
About The Wendy's Company
The Wendy's Company is the world's third-largest quick-service hamburger company. The Wendy's system includes approximately 6,500 franchise and Company-operated restaurants in the United States and 28 countries and U.S. territories worldwide. For more information, visit aboutwendys.com or wendys.com.
Media contact:
Bry Roth
(614) 764-3138
bry.roth@wendys.com
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SOURCE The Wendy's Company
