Tim Hortons to Begin Using Cage-Free Eggs

Tim Hortons has announced it will switch to using cage-free eggs only by 2025.

As part of its commitment to improving animal welfare in Canada, U.S., and Mexico, the company will switch to 100 per cent cage free eggs. This will also apply to Burger King, their sister organization, both of which are owned by Restaurant Brands International.

Tim Hortons' is responsible for approximately six out of every ten egg sandwiches sold in Canada – about 288 million per year.

The new cage-free commitment by Tim Hortons follows similar announcements by Dunkin' Donuts, Starbucks, Subway, McDonald's, and Wendy's.

"Tim Hortons has taken an important step forward in improving the lives of farmed animals. The company's new cage-free egg commitment will reduce the suffering of countless hens and hopefully inspire other food companies to adopt similar policies,” said Nathan Runkle, president of Mercy for Animals. “It's high time the rest of the food industry, including Swiss Chalet and Harvey's, acknowledged that cramming birds into cages barely larger than their bodies is cruel and has no place in a civilized society. With this announcement by Tim Hortons, it's never been clearer that the days are numbered for egg factory farmers who pack birds in cages so small they can't walk, spread their wings, or engage in other natural behaviors. Any food company that has not yet adopted a cage-free egg policy will find itself at odds with common decency, ethics, and business trends."

Right now, the vast majority of the more than 28 million Canadian laying hens are kept in conventional battery cages where each hen lives in a space smaller than an iPad. They have little room to stretch their wings or move around freely. However, in typical cage-free barns, hens are able to express some natural behaviours like walking around, laying eggs in a nest box and perching.

Tim Hortons' commitment to source cage-free eggs for its more than 4,500 North American restaurants will require a substantial investment from Canadian egg producers.