Sonic, a national drive-in restaurant chain, today announced plans to phase in use of "crate free" pork.

"Sonic is actively working to eliminate gestation crates from its pork supply chain, and intends to reach that goal no later than 2022, although is working toward 2017, the timeframe several large pork producers have set to be fully-transitioned to group housing," reported the Humane Society of the United States.

"Sonic will continue to favor suppliers that raise hogs in a gestation crate-free environment in addition to suppliers that can provide audit and tracking reports for sourcing crate-free pork."

Sonic joins other restaurants and retailers in the move to "crate-free" environments.

Paul Shapiro, vice president of farm animal protection at HSUS, said, "We look forward to working with the company to bring about a gestation crate-free future for its products."

The restaurant chain joins McDonald's, Cracker Barrel, Kroger and many others to transition to a crate-free pork supply chain.

Sonic has been contacted for comment.