Quick service restaurant (QSR) chain Carl’s Jr. has announced that it has met its goal of sourcing 100% cage-free eggs in its U.S. locations. The chain, which operates over 1,000 locations in the U.S. and serves customers in 28 countries globally, initially pledged to make this transition in 2016 alongside nine other QSRs. Carl’s Jr. is owned by CKE Restaurants.
In their recent announcement, Carl’s Jr. stated, “We have committed to transitioning our egg supply to 100% cage-free eggs in our restaurants globally by 2025. We are pleased to report that in all domestic Carl’s Jr. restaurants we have met our commitment and are 100% cage-free. Our commitment continues to stay firm, and we are resolute to a cage-free egg supply in 2025 in all of our domestic and international restaurants.”
Global Progress on Cage-Free Commitments
Animal welfare group Compassion in World Farming published its 2023 EggTrack Report in January 2024, showing that approximately 75% of companies with cage-free commitments have reported progress. This report tracks cage-free deadlines, progress against pledges, and key findings about the egg industry’s transition.
The report includes 79 companies operating internationally, 274 in Europe and the U.K., 134 in the U.S., and 23 in the Asia-Pacific region. Europe showed the most significant progress, with 274 companies making 440 commitments, and about 75% reporting progress. The majority of these companies are from the retailers and meal kit sectors, followed by restaurants, food service, and hospitality companies.