Major fast-food chains including KFC, Nando’s, Wingstop, and Burger King have quietly withdrawn from industry commitments to stop using fast-growing chicken breeds, drawing fierce criticism from animal welfare campaigners.

The companies had signed the Better Chicken Commitment in 2020, pledging to transition to slower-growing breeds by 2026. The breeds currently used in industrial poultry farming grow so rapidly that many birds develop painful leg disorders and heart conditions.

“This is a betrayal of the animals and the consumers who trusted these brands to do the right thing,” said Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the RSPCA.

The companies cited rising costs, supply chain constraints, and the economic climate as reasons for the reversal. KFC said it remained committed to “continuous improvement in animal welfare” but that the specific timeline was “no longer feasible.”

The withdrawal is expected to affect billions of chickens annually and has reignited debate about the tension between corporate sustainability pledges and commercial realities.