Taco Bell commits to using cage-free eggs by end of 2016

Taco Bell announced Monday its plans to serve cage-free eggs in all of its U.S. restaurants by the end of 2016, joining other major restaurant chains that are collectively changing the egg industry in reaction to consumer demand and pressure from activists.

Taco Bell said it will serve only eggs sourced from hens not raised in cages in more than 6,000 corporate and franchise-owned restaurants. Though late to the game when compared with some competitors, like McDonald’s, Taco Bell’s plan from start to finish is much quicker than most.

McDonald’s announced in September that it would switch to serving cage-free eggs at its 16,000-plus restaurants in the U.S. and Canada within the next decade.

“We are a brand that has our finger on the pulse of not only what appeals to our customers’ tastes but also the issues they care most about, and they tell us they want food that’s simple and easy to understand,” Taco Bell CEO Brian Niccol said in a statement. “Implementing this change at a record pace underscores we are always listening and responding to our customers, while doing what is right for the business.”

The announcement was lauded by The Humane Society of the United States and Compassion in World Farming, animal welfare groups. Compassion in World Farming launched a change.org petition three weeks ago calling on Taco Bell to serve cage-free eggs. The petition had almost 167,000 signatures Monday morning.

Rachel Dreskin, U.S. food business manager for Compassion in World Farming, noted that it was “the first significant announcement” Taco Bell has made in regard to animal welfare in the U.S.

“Taco Bell caters to a diverse customer base, and this announcement demonstrates that treating animals with respect is a value that is shared across the entire population,” Dreskin said in a statement.