Denny’s CEO and the cruelty of pigs in cages
Denny’s promised in 2012 to stop purchasing from farms that cage pregnant mother pigs. However, the company has made little progress in the last 12 years. Now it claims it will make progress by 2030.
During Denny’s annual stockholders meeting in May, CEO Kelli Valade and the Board of Directors rejected a shareholder proposal that asked the company to phase out the use of cruel gestation cages. Now, Denny’s still refuses to state that it will publicly report a percentage each year–as most companies do–to transparently show that the progress it’s making is real.
An overwhelming majority of Americans believe that keeping animals in tiny cages for nearly their entire lives is extremely cruel. However, amid ongoing national protests, Denny’s continues purchasing from farms that use intensive confinement methods for pigs.
Forcing pregnant pigs to live in coffin-like cages is cruel
In 2012, Denny’s made a public commitment to eliminate the confinement of pregnant pigs—just as their competitors have done—yet little progress has been made.
Being trapped in these cages is physically and emotionally devastating for these intelligent animals.
As their pregnant bodies grow, the space inside the cages becomes tighter, restricting their movements even more.
These pigs are kept in solitary cages with no stimulation. They become sick, injured, and severely depressed while they stare at metal bars day and night.
Nothing justifies keeping animals in such miserable conditions.
If Denny’s CEO, Kelli Valade, truly stands for ethical leadership, she should use her influential position to steer the company towards a meaningful commitment to end the extreme confinement of pigs.
Dane Charbeneau
Campaigns Manager
Animal Equality
Advocates expose Denny’s at nationwide protests
In February 2024, activists stood outside the International Franchise Association Convention in Phoenix, AZ, where Kelli Valade gave a speech on empathy and leadership.
We asked attendees to consider whether it was appropriate for Denny’s CEO to advise on these topics when she actively ignored tens of thousands of public messages to ban cages and allowed nationwide protests at Denny’s restaurants.
Many people heard our message and were horrified to learn about Denny’s association with animal cruelty, with several attendees thanking us for bringing this to their attention.
Most people agree that animal cruelty is unacceptable. We cannot let large corporations get away with prioritizing profits over basic animal welfare standards.
Disclaimer: Images of standard factory farms with cages. They do not necessarily supply to Denny’s.
