On 30 January healthy food franchise SumoSalad made the switch to free range chicken, adding the product to its salads, wraps and other menu items.

SumoSalad has developed a relationship with Tegel Free Range Farms, and will source all of its chicken products from the breeder, who raises its chickens outdoors and free from added hormones or genetic modifications.

“At SumoSalad we firmly believe that the fresher the produce, the better the taste. The switch to free-range chicken ensures we continue to deliver our customers a high quality, tasty product while also balancing our social responsibility to do the right thing,” said Luke Bayliss, the owner and co-founder of SumoSalad.

Tegel’s chicken products must sport the SPCA Blue Tick certification in order to be included in SumoSalad’s menu items.

In addition, the chicken products will be required to undergo annual audits, as well as spot audits to guarantee the chickens have been bred in a humane manner.

Bayliss added the brand’s desire to operate in line with the wants and needs of customers prompted the move to free range chicken.

“With growing concern for the heinous conditions of battery farming, it was time for us to find a way to make the switch to free-range,” he said.

“Now, I’m delighted that all of our SumoSalad stores can serve our customers delicious free range chicken salads at an affordable price to offer the value for money we’re known for.”