The Quiznos sandwich chain said Tuesday it has adopted a new animal-welfare policy for the eggs, pork and turkey it buys.

The Denver-based chain said it came up with the policy in conjunction with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

"We are always trying to find new ways to be better corporate citizens, and we'll continue to seek those ways," Quiznos spokesman Joe Hodas said.

Quiznos will buy more eggs from cage-free chickens, more pork raised in crate-free environments and more turkeys that are killed using a method that PETA described as more humane, in which the birds' oxygen supply is replaced by other gases. The chain also removed eggs from three of its four cookies on the menu.

The changes will be phased in, and purchasing preference will be given to suppliers who use cage- or crate-free systems.

PETA Vice President Bruce Friedrich says his group still prefers diners buy Quiznos' vegetarian sandwich, but he praised the chain for the new standards.

Privately held Quiznos has about 5,000 U.S. stores.