Sonic Adopts Animal Welfare Policy

OKLAHOMA CITYSonic Corp. restaurant chain announced a new animal welfare policy that will require all suppliers undergo independent third-party audits of their livestock and poultry handling process in order to promote humane treatment of farm animals. Companies that fail to meet Sonic's animal welfare guidelines will be excluded from its supply chain.

The company will begin phasing-in the use of cage-free eggs as well as pork from facilities that do not confine breeding pigs in gestation crates. The policy also encourages Sonic's chicken suppliers to switch to controlled-atmosphere killing, a higher-welfare poultry slaughter method than the common practice of shackling and electrified water stunning.

Click here to read the entire policy.