To meet consumers’ changing expectations and preferences, McDonald’s Corp., Oak Brook, Ill., announced plans to fully transition to cage-free eggs for its nearly 16,000 restaurants in the United States and Canada over the next 10 years. 

“Our customers are increasingly interested in knowing more about their food and where it comes from,” said Mike Andres, president of McDonald’s USA. “Our decision to source only cage-free eggs reinforces the focus we place on food quality and our menu to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations.

“We’re proud of the work we’re doing with farmers and suppliers to advance environmentally and socially conscious practices for the animals in our supply chain,” says Marion Gross, senior vice president and chief supply chain officer of McDonald’s North America. “This is a bold move, and we’re confident in our ability to provide a quality, safe and consistent supply.”

Since 2011, McDonald’s USA has been purchasing more than 13 million cage-free eggs annually. For decades, Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch, Saranac, Mich., has worked with McDonald’s to supply nutritious eggs. 

“Cage-free systems play an important role in our work to keep hens healthy and meet the growing consumer demand for responsibly-sourced food,” says Greg Herbruck, executive vice president of Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch. “We welcome McDonald’s actions to continue these efforts, and are pleased to join them in sourcing cage-free eggs across their supply chain. We continue embracing new technologies and strategies to ensure our hens are well cared for.”