As a lifelong animal lover and Atlanta resident, I was disappointed to learn that the Atlanta-based investment firm, Roark Capital Group, is caught up in an animal cruelty scandal. Roark claims to hold the core values of accountability, integrity and operational excellence, yet it has chosen to invest in restaurant chains that are falling behind in terms of basic animal welfare.

Dozens of major food companies, including Roark-owned Focus Brands (Moe’s Southwest Grill, Cinnabon, Schlotzsky's, Carvel, and Auntie Anne's) have committed to sweeping welfare improvements for chickens raised for meat. Focus Brands’ policy provides birds with improved environmental conditions, more humane slaughter methods, and a transition to higher welfare breeds of chickens to reduce chronic health issues and crippling injuries that are commonly seen on today’s factory farms.

Unfortunately, Roark-owned CKE Restaurants (the parent company of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s), Arby’s, and Corner Bakery Cafe have refused to adopt the same commonsense standards for the chickens they purchase. As the major investor in these companies, Roark should be held accountable to the egregious and needless animal suffering that is going unchecked in these companies’ supply chains.

Please sign my petition urging Roark Capital to do the right thing for animals and demand that CKE, Arby’s, and Corner Bakery Cafe commit to the same progressive chicken welfare policy that Focus Brands has already committed to. Roark should ensure that these companies, as well as all of the chicken serving companies it invests in, adopt these basic chicken welfare standards.

Roark has the power to create this change. There is no excuse for Roark to not take action to improve the lives of millions of animals!