Keep Your Promise: Subway Faces Nationwide Consumer Pressure to Follow Through on Cage-Free Eggs
Karen Hirsch
Nearly a decade after Subway pledged to source 100% cage-free eggs in its supply chains by the end of 2025, one of the world’s largest fast food chains has gone silent.
Nearly a decade after Subway pledged to source 100% cage-free eggs in its supply chains by the end of 2025, one of the world’s largest fast food chains has gone silent. The Humane League, a global nonprofit working to end the abuse of animals raised for food, launches a campaign against Subway, urging the company to break its silence, report progress, and provide a roadmap for fulfilling its commitment before time runs out.
In 2015, Subway committed to source 100% cage-free eggs across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico by the end of 2025. The last available update came in 2020, when the company reported that only 27% of its egg supply in North America was cage-free. Since then, Subway has failed to provide any public progress or plan, despite claiming on its website that it is “on track.”
The company was recently called out in The Humane League’s Cage-Free Eggsposé report for its lack of transparency. Subway’s inaction contrasts with its industry peers: McDonald’s, Starbucks, KFC, Taco Bell, and Tim Hortons have all fulfilled or are actively reporting progress toward their cage-free goals.
"Subway made a promise to its customers, its franchisees, and to the nearly 300,000 egg-laying hens in its supply chain,” said Anna Peer, Senior Campaigns Lead for The Humane League. “That promise is now in jeopardy, and the lack of transparency is unacceptable for a company of this size.”
Battery cages, still used throughout Subway’s supply chain, are linked to extreme animal suffering and public health threats. According to the USDA, 64% of birds lost to avian flu in 2025 were housed in cages while only 36% came from cage-free systems. Meanwhile, the egg industry reports no supply shortage, nearly 70% of producers added cage-free housing in 2024, and most expect continued supply through 2026.
With more than 20,000 U.S. locations, Subway’s failure to act has widespread consequences. The Humane League is launching targeted actions in Subway’s headquarters cities along with nationwide protests and digital campaigns, amplifying growing frustration over its lack of cage-free progress.
To take action, visit SubwayScandal.com or join The Humane League’s Fast Action Network to help drive meaningful change for animals from your phone or laptop.
