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

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, including Subway, Dairy Queen, Applebee’s, IHOP, and Outback Steakhouse, have fulfilled their cage-free commitments, a few of America's most recognizable restaurant brands have missed deadlines, weakened their policies, or failed to disclose their progress.

The 2026 Eggsposé: The State of Cage-Free in the US Restaurant Industry, released today by The Humane League, examines approximately 100 restaurant chains and convenience stores on their progress toward sourcing 100% cage-free eggs in the United States. With the original 2025 deadlines of many companies now passed, the report highlights how far the industry has come and questions why some major brands have yet to deliver on their promises or make meaningful progress.

“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 in the report’s “Hall of Shame” 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 finds that many restaurant chains have successfully transitioned to 100% cage-free egg sourcing in the United States, demonstrating that companies of different sizes can fulfill their commitments.

Among the companies recognized for achieving 100% cage-free sourcing are Subway, Taco John’s, McDonald’s, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Dairy Queen, Applebee’s, IHOP, Outback Steakhouse, The Cheesecake Factory, Papa John’s, Peet’s Coffee, Mendocino Farms, Pret A Manger, and Snooze AM Eatery.

The report also highlights companies publicly reporting progress toward their cage-free goals, including Restaurant Brands International (parent of Burger King, Popeyes, Tim Hortons, and Firehouse Subs), Red Robin, Chili’s, and Yum! Brands (KFC). The progress made by these companies demonstrates that cage-free sourcing is achievable and raises the stakes for companies that continue to delay, weaken their commitments, or withhold information about their progress.

Consumers Support a Cage-Free Future

The report's findings come amid widespread public support for ending the confinement of hens in cages. 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.

Conventional cages severely restrict hens’ movement, preventing them from fully spreading their wings or engaging in natural behaviors such as nesting, perching, and dustbathing.

With many restaurant chains already sourcing 100% cage-free eggs, 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.