What Fast Food Restaurants Use No Antibiotic Chicken?

October 8, 2025 •

3 min read

Over the past decade, rising consumer awareness about antibiotic resistance has pressured many fast-food chains to alter their sourcing practices, with early leaders like Chipotle and Panera setting a high standard for meat raised without routine antibiotics. However, recent shifts have changed the landscape, making it important for conscious consumers to know which chains still hold strong commitments to “No Antibiotics Ever” (NAE) chicken, and which have relaxed their policies.

Quick Summary

Several fast-food chains offer chicken raised without antibiotics, but it is important to distinguish between different labeling standards. Companies like Chipotle and Shake Shack maintain strict 'No Antibiotics Ever' policies, while others have moved to less rigorous standards.

Key Points

Differentiate NAE vs. NAIHM: "No Antibiotics Ever" (NAE) is the most stringent standard, while "No Antibiotics Important to Human Medicine" (NAIHM) allows for some antibiotics.
Chipotle and Shake Shack are NAE leaders: Both chains serve chicken under strict "No Antibiotics Ever" policies.
Chick-fil-A switched to NAIHM: Due to supply chain issues in 2024, Chick-fil-A moved from NAE to NAIHM for their chicken.
Panera Bread loosened standards: Formerly an NAE leader, Panera retreated from its strict policy in 2024, allowing for the use of some antibiotics.
Support transparent brands: Researching and supporting restaurants that publicly commit to and maintain transparent antibiotic policies encourages better industry standards.
Check for latest policies: Restaurant policies can change, so it's always best to check the company's official website or recent consumer reports for the most current information.
Antibiotic resistance is the main concern: The overuse of antibiotics in livestock contributes to drug-resistant bacteria, which poses a serious threat to public health.

The Spectrum of Antibiotic Policies: NAE vs. NAIHM

Not all "no antibiotic" claims are created equal, and it is crucial to understand the different standards restaurants adopt. The highest and most stringent claim is “No Antibiotics Ever” (NAE), which means the animal was never given antibiotics at any point in its life. A less restrictive standard is “No Antibiotics Important to Human Medicine” (NAIHM), which restricts medically important antibiotics but allows animal-specific ones. Recent shifts show some chains previously using NAE have downgraded to NAIHM.

Fast Food Chains Committed to No Antibiotics Ever (NAE) Chicken

These chains prioritize a “No Antibiotics Ever” policy for their chicken.

Chipotle Mexican Grill: Known for responsible sourcing, Chipotle uses NAE for all its meats, removing sick animals from the supply.
Shake Shack: This chain commits to no antibiotics in its U.S. chicken, beef, pork, or dairy.
Starbird Chicken: This "super-premium fast-food" chain serves chicken never raised with antibiotics or hormones.

Recent Policy Shifts: Chick-fil-A and Panera Bread

Two former NAE leaders have changed their policies.

Chick-fil-A: Citing supply challenges, Chick-fil-A switched from NAE to NAIHM in 2024, allowing some antibiotic use for sick animals.
Panera Bread: Panera also loosened its antibiotic standards in 2024, reportedly for cost savings and flexibility.

Other Notable Chains and Considerations

Other restaurants have varying policies.

KFC: By 2019, KFC committed to sourcing chicken without medically important antibiotics (NAIHM).
McDonald's: U.S. McDonald's chicken is raised without medically important antibiotics.
Subway: While previously pledging NAE chicken, recent reports suggest their current policy is less clear.

Comparison of Fast Food Antibiotic Chicken Policies


Restaurant	Current Chicken Antibiotic Policy	Notes
Chipotle	No Antibiotics Ever (NAE)	Longstanding commitment for all meat.
Shake Shack	No Antibiotics Ever (NAE)	All chicken, beef, and pork are NAE.
Starbird Chicken	No Antibiotics Ever (NAE)	Hand-breaded and never-frozen chicken.
Chick-fil-A	No Antibiotics Important to Human Medicine (NAIHM)	Shifted from NAE to NAIHM in 2024 due to supply chain issues.
Panera Bread	Loosened Policy	Retreated from NAE in 2024, now allows some antibiotics.
KFC	No Antibiotics Important to Human Medicine (NAIHM)	Implemented policy by 2019.
McDonald's	No Antibiotics Important to Human Medicine (NAIHM)	Applies to US chicken supply.

Making Informed Choices at the Drive-Thru

Understanding NAE and NAIHM helps navigate fast-food antibiotic claims. While some chains have relaxed policies, others like Chipotle and Shake Shack maintain high standards. For assurance, check company websites or third-party certifications. Consumer demand drives transparency in antibiotic use.

Supporting brands with responsible sourcing and high animal welfare sends a positive message. For updates, consult reputable sources like Consumer Reports.

What Does It Mean for Your Health?

Overuse of antibiotics in livestock contributes to antibiotic resistance, a significant health threat. Choosing meat from animals raised without antibiotics helps reduce this practice and preserves the effectiveness of these drugs for human use.

Conclusion

The fast-food antibiotic policy landscape is evolving, but options for chicken raised without antibiotics exist. Chipotle and Shake Shack maintain strict NAE standards. The policy shifts at Chick-fil-A and Panera highlight the need to stay informed. By understanding claims and supporting transparent brands, consumers can make choices aligned with their values and health. Checking restaurant websites for the latest updates is recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Currently, fast-food chains committed to a "No Antibiotics Ever" (NAE) standard for their chicken include Chipotle and Shake Shack. The fast-casual chain Starbird Chicken also uses NAE chicken.

"No Antibiotics Ever" means the animal was never given antibiotics at any point. "No Antibiotics Important to Human Medicine" means that medically important antibiotics (those also used to treat humans) were avoided, but other antibiotics may have been used to treat illness.

In early 2024, Chick-fil-A announced it was changing its policy from "No Antibiotics Ever" to "No Antibiotics Important to Human Medicine," citing supply chain challenges as the reason.

Panera Bread, which was once a leader in serving meat with a strong "No Antibiotics Ever" policy, loosened its standards in 2024. While not abandoning the practice entirely, the new policy allows for the use of some non-medically important antibiotics.

While the presence of antibiotics in cooked meat is not a direct threat, the widespread use of antibiotics in livestock production is a leading cause of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which is a major public health concern. These 'superbugs' can spread and cause infections that are difficult to treat.

The most reliable way to check is to visit the restaurant's official website and look for information on their ingredient sourcing or animal welfare practices. You can also consult recent reports from reputable consumer advocacy organizations.

Besides the larger chains, many smaller, regional, or fast-casual restaurants may have strong antibiotic policies. It is always a good idea to check the website or ask a manager at a local establishment for specific sourcing information.