The scale of change at McDonald’s
The sheer scale of McDonald’s transition is staggering. According to the company, its US system purchased almost 2 billion eggs in 2023 alone—nearly six times the US population. Transforming a supply chain of this magnitude required coordinated effort across McDonald’s entire system, including owner/operators, suppliers, and company employees working together to support this fundamental change.
A global shift toward compassion at McDonald’s
McDonald’s achievement extends beyond US borders. The world’s largest restaurant chain has now fulfilled its cage-free commitments ahead of schedule in seven countries—the United States, Brazil, Costa Rica, Peru, Colombia, Uruguay, and Canada. This early fulfillment demonstrates that eliminating some of the cruelest confinement practices from our food system isn’t just possible—it can be done efficiently and effectively, even by massive global corporations. McDonald’s has also completed its cage-free transition in Australia, France, and Germany.
In Brazil, McDonald’s operator Arcos Dorados partnered with egg producer Mantiqueira Brasil to source eggs exclusively from cage-free systems. This partnership helped Brazil achieve 100% cage-free status in 2023, well ahead of the company’s 2025 global target.
Even more promising, McDonald's recently launched its first “cage-free trial” in South Korea—marking the first time the company has used cage-free eggs anywhere in Asia. This trial represents a crucial first step in a region where cage-free progress has been slower to take hold.
The power of consumer demand
McDonald’s global progress on cage-free commitments reflects a broader shift in consumer expectations. People around the world are increasingly concerned about how animals in our food system are treated, and they’re making their voices heard with their purchasing decisions.
Consider these revealing statistics:
This consumer sentiment hasn't gone unnoticed by corporate leaders. A McKinsey study demonstrates a clear link between ESG claims (like “cage-free”) and consumer spending, proving that developing such products is not only ethical but also a robust business strategy driven by consumer demand—and financial support—for sustainability.
What McDonald’s promise means for hens
The impact of McDonald’s transition can’t be overstated. In battery cages, egg-laying hens are forced to live their entire lives in spaces roughly the size of a sheet of paper, unable to perform even their most basic natural behaviors.
By eliminating these cages from their largest egg supply chain, McDonald’s is ensuring that hens can now:
- Move around freely
- Spread their wings
- Perch and nest
- Dust bathe—a natural behavior that helps keep them clean
While cage-free systems aren’t perfect, they represent a significant reduction in suffering compared to battery cages, which are among the cruelest confinement systems in modern animal agriculture.
By eliminating these cages from their US supply chain, McDonald’s is ensuring that hens can now live in what the company describes as “an open environment that allows birds freedom to express their natural behaviors and includes enrichments such as perches, scratch areas and nests.” Each McDonald’s-supplying egg farm in the US has an attending veterinarian who helps lead training and education for staff to help ensure proper care.
Creating this supply chain transformation wasn't simple. McDonald’s worked with suppliers like Cargill and their egg producers, including Minnesota-based fourth-generation family business Forsman Farms, who initially had “zero cage-free systems” and faced a significant challenge in transitioning. The company also engaged animal welfare experts and academics to help egg producers build and renovate their farms and implement new technology.
The road ahead for McDonald’s: ending cages in Asia and beyond
Despite this progress, significant challenges remain. McDonald’s operations in Asia—where the majority of the world’s egg-laying hens are raised—have yet to fully implement cage-free policies. The company’s South Korean trial represents a promising first step, but advocates continue to push for comprehensive cage-free commitments across all Asian markets.
Following cage-free commitments from major Asian restaurant groups like Jollibee Foods Corporation and Toridoll, McDonald’s remains one of the most sought-after global commitments in the region. As the world’s largest restaurant chain by revenue and egg usage, McDonald’s has unparalleled influence over suppliers and competitors alike.
Be part of the change
McDonald’s cage-free milestone demonstrates the power consumers have to transform the food system. When people demand better treatment for animals, even the largest corporations in the world must respond.
The progress we’re seeing today proves that consumer demand for better treatment of animals is reshaping our food system. Your choices and your voice have power—keep using them to create a more compassionate world for all animals.
Liz Fergus
