PETA, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, currently owns 190 shares of Brinker International, Inc. and has decided to use their power to submit a shareholder resolution calling on the Dallas-based restaurant company to move its suppliers toward "controlled-atmosphere killing" (CAK), the least cruel method of poultry slaughter available.

Brinker is the parent company of Chili's, On the Border Mexican Grill and Cantina, Maggiano's Little Italy, and Romano's Macaroni Grill. By total revenues, Brinker is the second-largest casual-dining restaurant operator based in the United States. Brinker has more than 1,800 locations in 20 countries.

With CAK, the oxygen that chickens and turkeys breathe is slowly replaced with inert, nonpoisonous gasses, such as argon and nitrogen, that put the birds "to sleep" quickly and painlessly.

Studies conclude that in addition to being the least cruel form of poultry slaughter, CAK improves working conditions and meat yield and quality. CAK also reduces labor costs and the potential for contamination.

Fast-food giants Burger King, Carl's Jr., Hardee's, and Wendy's are now giving purchasing preference or consideration to suppliers that use CAK.

"Consumers care about animal welfare, so it's in Brinker's best interests to switch to a less cruel slaughter method", says PETA Vice President Bruce Friedrich.