Chipotle Mexican Grill announced that it’s signing the European Chicken Commitment, a venture that will apply even higher animal welfare standards to its entire European supply chain by 2026. Priding itself on serving food with integrity, Chipotle was an early participant in the U.S., supporting the Better Chicken Commitment since 2017 and has now extended this U.S. Broiler commitment to its operations in Canada as well.

Chipotle is committed to cultivating a better world, which means sourcing responsibly raised ingredients. For over 25 years, Chipotle has been an industry leader in exceptional animal welfare standards in the fast-casual space. As a brand started by a classically trained chef with a passion for real food, Chipotle has pioneered the priority for food made from real ingredients and avoids the use of subtherapeutic antibiotics and synthetic hormones.

Using standards aligned with the new requirements of the Global Animal Partnership’s (GAP) standard for broiler chickens, Chipotle will work to achieve the following goals by 2024 in the U.S. and Canada and 2026 in Europe:

• Improved breeding by transition to genetic strains of birds that will grow slower and allow for better welfare outcomes
• Provide more space by reducing maximum stocking density to six pounds per square foot
• Give chickens housing that includes improved lighting, litter and floor enrichments that allow chickens to express natural behaviors
• Process chickens in a manner that utilizes a multi-step controlled-atmosphere processing system

“Excellence in animal welfare has been in Chipotle’s DNA since it was founded and continues to be a top priority for us more than 25 years later,” says Yael Cypers, manager of the Animal Welfare Program at Chipotle. “We are pleased to be extending our commitment to now include Europe and Canada.”