Why is Kirk Tanner
ignoring animal cruelty?
What’s the problem?
Wendy’s is still using a cruel practice in its supply chain that its fast food competitors like McDonald’s won’t even use. Wendy’s sources the majority of its eggs from inhumane and controversial battery cage farms, where chickens are confined to cages so tightly they can barely move around. Wendy’s isn’t only falling behind McDonald’s, many leading food companies around the world are phasing this practice out. Battery cages are even illegal in many U.S. sates and the entire European Union.
So why does Wendy’s continue to support caging animals? Because its leaders are more concerned with raking in profits than doing the right thing.
Who is Kirk Tanner?
Kirk is a career executive with decades of experience in the food industry. He spent over 30 years at PepsiCo, most recently serving as CEO of PepsiCo North America. During his tenure at PepsiCo, he also held various leadership roles in domestic and international operations, including positions in Frito-Lay North America and PepsiCo UK and Ireland. He has also served on the board of VF Corporation. In 2024, he became President and Chief Executive Officer and joined the Board of Directors at Wendy's.
As Wendy’s new CEO, Kirk could turn the company’s policies around for the better. But will he?
Customers looking for social responsibility should look elsewhere.
Wendy’s claims it is committed to “responsible sourcing” when it comes to eggs, yet it continues to use eggs from caged hens. Meanwhile, many of its competitors in the restaurant industry have already transitioned or are making significant progress towards sourcing exclusively cage-free eggs. McDonald's, Taco Bell, Chipotle, and Starbucks have achieved 100% cage-free status, while chains like Burger King, Jack in the Box, Subway, and dozens of others are well on their way. Is Kirk to blame for Wendy’s lack of action?
Should anyone be surprised by Wendy’s unethical business practices? The company is no stranger to scandals. Among many controversies over the years, it has been accused of enabling modern-day slavery in its supply chain, infringing on its workers’ privacy rights, and sickening customers through unchecked E. coli outbreaks that caused permanent health conditions like brain damage and kidney failure.
The company has even been sued for misleading customers about cage-free eggs.