New Report Reveals Major Cage-Free Progress Across U.S. Restaurant Chains, But Some Big Brands Still Fall Short

The Humane League's 2026 Eggsposé report highlights Subway and Dairy Queen for fulfilling cage-free commitments, calls out others for lack of transparency.

NEW YORK, Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly a decade after major U.S. restaurant chains pledged to eliminate eggs from caged hens, a new report from The Humane League reveals significant industry progress along with a growing accountability divide. While dozens of companies have fulfilled their cage-free commitments, a few recognizable restaurant brands have missed deadlines, weakened their policies, or failed to disclose their progress.

The Humane League's 2026 Eggsposé: The State of Cage-Free in the US Restaurant Industry examines about 100 restaurant chains and convenience stores on their progress in sourcing cage-free eggs in the U.S. With many companies' 2025 deadlines now passed, the report highlights how far the industry has come and asks why some brands have not delivered or made real progress on their promises.

"For nearly a decade, restaurant chains have told customers they would stop sourcing eggs from caged hens. Many have delivered, making cage-free the industry standard. But companies like Chick-fil-A and Cracker Barrel are still leaving customers in the dark about whether they'll keep their promises," said Liz Fergus, Senior Corporate Relations Manager, U.S., at The Humane League. "A commitment without action or transparency is nothing more than an empty promise. These companies owe their customers answers."

The Bad Eggs, Broken Promises and Missing Accountability

Among the companies named for missing deadlines, weakening commitments, or failing to publicly report progress are:

• Chick-fil-A for never publicly reporting progress and removing its 2026 cage-free deadline.
• Dunkin' for missing its 2025 deadline and not publicly reporting progress.
• Wendy's for having a cage-free policy that doesn't apply to most of its locations.
• Cracker Barrel for removing its 2026 deadline and reporting slow progress.
• P.F. Chang's for missing its 2025 deadline and never publicly reporting progress.
• Wawa for missing its 2020 deadline and not publicly reporting progress.

The Good Eggs: Proof That Progress Is Possible

The report also highlights many restaurant chains for successfully transitioning to 100% cage-free egg sourcing in the U.S., showing that companies of all sizes can fulfill their commitments, including Subway, Taco John's, McDonald's, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Dairy Queen, Applebee's, IHOP, Outback Steakhouse, The Cheesecake Factory, Papa John's, and Mendocino Farms.

The report also features companies reporting progress toward their cage-free goals, including Restaurant Brands International, Red Robin, Chili's, and Yum! Brands (KFC).

These findings come amid widespread public support for ending the confinement of caged hens. Research cited in the report finds that 80% of US consumers would support a state-level ban on cages for farm animals and nearly 78% prefer eggs from hens not kept in cages.

The Humane League is calling on companies that have fallen behind to establish credible new timelines, reinstate weakened commitments, and consistently report their progress publicly.

Read the full 2026 Eggsposé report here. Learn more about The Humane League's cage-free work at EndCages.com.

MEDIA CONTACT
Karen Hirsch
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SOURCE The Humane League