Brooke Fane
Progress is good. Accountability is better. Best Western’s report shows movement—but hens still need more than metrics.
The world’s largest hotel brand has opened the door to progress. Let’s hold them to it—for every hen waiting for the life she deserves.
Now, the first bit of light is finding its way in. Under sustained pressure from compassionate people like you, the biggest name in hospitality has finally published real numbers and concrete action.
It’s not check‑out time for cages yet. But it is movement—and it happened because you refused to look away.
Unpacking the update: where Best Western stands
For the first time since its promise to go cage-free, Best Western has shared public progress and a tangible next step. It’s not fulfillment—but it is a shift worth noting.
Here’s what’s changed:
- Cage-free sourcing in Asia and Latin America rose from 40% to 70%
- A global sourcing figure of 70% cage-free was reported for the first time
- A pilot purchase of cage-free credits is planned for early 2026
These changes matter because hens are individuals—not inventory. Trapped in wire cages, they’re denied the ability to move freely, nest, or even stretch their wings. Every percentage point of progress means fewer animals suffering in silence.
This movement didn’t happen on its own. You made it happen by refusing to look away and demanding better from this global hospitality giant.
Reservations about progress: no room for delay
Progress is on paper. Accountability is what comes next. And while this moment marks a shift, it’s not a conclusion. The real test lies ahead.
We expect to see three things from Best Western by April 2026:
- A clear, detailed roadmap toward full cage-free sourcing
- Completion of their planned credit purchase
- Continued global transparency—not selective snapshots
Anything less would mean breaking the very promise they’ve delayed for years.
We’ll be watching closely—and we won’t hesitate to turn up the pressure if Best Western fails to deliver. Every day in a cage is a day too long. And the clock is ticking.
Wake-up call: the industry at large
This breakthrough doesn’t just raise the bar for Best Western—it puts the entire hotel industry on notice.
If a budget-conscious brand can commit to credits and transparency, there’s no excuse for chains like Radisson, Marriott, and Choice Hotels to continue dragging their feet on cage-free commitments.
This progress signals something bigger: that companies are being forced to reckon with the idea that animals are not commodities—they are living, feeling beings, and the public is no longer willing to pretend otherwise.
Front desk to front lines: where change checks in
You helped shift one of the world’s biggest hotel brands. Now we keep going. The next fight is already taking shape.
➡️ Join the Fast Action Network and stay ready to speak up when animals need you most. Because hens confined to cruelty cannot wait. And neither can we.
