‘America’s Diner’ called out for alleged animal abuse on Times Square billboard

New York, NY – The classic American diner Denny’s is being called out on a new Times Square billboard for allegedly allowing “animal abuse” in its supply chain. The advertisement was commissioned by international animal protection group Animal Equality after Denny’s failed to follow through on an animal welfare commitment that would provide more living space for pigs in its supply chain. 

The billboard displays the message: “Denny’s, animal abuse is bad for business,” as a video plays of two pigs inside so-called ‘gestation crates’ clawing at the bars of the cages. These 7-by-2-foot crates are commonly used on factory farms, including in Denny’s supply chain, to keep female pigs for the majority of their lives. The confined space allows little room for movement, and many animals resort to biting and banging their heads against the cages out of stress.

Animal protection groups and animal welfare experts have argued that gestation crates are “among the most extreme examples of cruelty” on modern farms, causing psychological and physical suffering to pigs. In a recent opinion piece in the New York Times questioning the humaneness of how pigs are raised on factory farms, columnist Nicholas Kristof compares these crates to “a human coffin.” 

In 2012, Denny’s made a public commitment to end the use of these cages in its supply chain. For ten years, the company has supposedly been working towards this goal. In December 2021, Denny’s updated the pledge on its website to announce its progress, stating that “approximately 32% of pork products” served in its restaurants were coming from suppliers that do not use gestation crates for pregnant pigs. The company further acknowledged that they have “further to go” since its goal was to “eliminate gestation crates” and source products from suppliers that don’t use them.

The pledge remained on Denny’s website up until a couple of months ago, but the company has since removed any language indicating the elimination of crates is still its goal. Denny’s did initially respond to attempts made by Animal Equality to discuss plans to follow through on its public commitment but has since gone silent, leading to the launch of a public campaign. Meanwhile, other large food corporations, like Chipotle, Wendy’s, and McDonald’s, have successfully committed to eliminating cages for pigs.

The billboard is on display at 1500 Broadway in Times Square and will rotate between a second message directed at Denny’s President: “John Dillon, do your investors know the truth?” 

ABOUT ANIMAL EQUALITY:

Animal Equality is an international organization working with society, governments, and companies to end cruelty to farmed animals. Animal Equality works effectively for animals through investigations, corporate campaigns and legal advocacy in the United States, UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, and India.