Sonic Drive In Restaurants
Drive-in restaurantBackground
Founded: 1954 Franchising since: 1959
Sonic Drive In Restaurants began when Troy Smith purchased the Top Hat Drive-In, a root beer stand in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He expanded from there and teamed up with Charlie Pappe. They introduced the Sonic name and began franchising in 1959. At Sonic Drive In locations, patrons order hamburgers, fries, chicken, breakfast items, specialty drinks, desserts and more curbside in their cars from a speaker box.
Franchisor has 200 employee(s)
Franchise Growth
Where Seeking Franchisees
Not available in the U.S.
Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: Varies by market
Special Programs
Sonic puts new franchisees in contact with established franchisees who can offer them information and support.
Sonic Drive In Restaurants began when Troy Smith purchased the Top Hat Drive-In, a root beer stand in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He expanded from there and teamed up with Charlie Pappe. They introduced the Sonic name and began franchising in 1959. At Sonic Drive In locations, patrons order hamburgers, fries, chicken, breakfast items, specialty drinks, desserts and more curbside in their cars from a speaker box.
|
300 Johnny Bench Dr. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104 |
Phone: (800)569-6656/ (405)225-5000 |
Franchisor has 200 employee(s)
Franchise Growth
| Year | U.S. Franchises | Canadian Franchises | Foreign Franchises | Company Owned |
| 2009 | 3055 | 0 | 0 | 481 |
| 2008 | 2,768 | 0 | 0 | 679 |
| 2007 | 2,655 | 0 | 1 | 642 |
| 2006 | 2,493 | 0 | 2 | 643 |
| 2005 | 2,419 | 0 | 7 | 623 |
Where Seeking Franchisees
Not available in the U.S.
Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: Varies by market
Special Programs
Sonic puts new franchisees in contact with established franchisees who can offer them information and support.
Costs and Fees
|
Total investment: $1.2M-3.2M Franchise fee: $45K |
Ongoing royalty fee: 1-5% Term of agreement: 20 years, renewable |
Type of Financing Available
| In-House | Third Party | |
| Franchise Fee | No | Yes |
| Startup Costs | No | Yes |
| Equipment | No | Yes |
| Inventory | No | Yes |
| Accounts Receivable | No | Yes |
| Payroll | No | Yes |
Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $1M
Cash liquidity requirement: $1M
Business Experience:
- Industry experience
- General business experience
- If no industry experience, must have an operating equity partner
Operations
- 60% of all franchisees own more than one unit
- Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 25
- Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed.
Training and Support
Training
Ongoing Support
Marketing Support
- Available at headquarters: 1 week
- At franchisee's location: 11 weeks
- Additional training available : 1 day to 1 week
Ongoing Support
- Newsletter
- Meetings
- Grand opening
- Internet
- Security/safety procedures
- Field operations/evaluations
- Purchasing cooperatives
Marketing Support
- Co-op advertising
- Ad slicks
- National media
- Regional advertising
Rankings
Franchise 500® rank:
#4 (2009); #6 (2008); #8 (2007); #13 (2006); #6 (2005);
Ranked #1 in category in:
2007; 2006; 2005;
Fastest-Growing Franchises:
#29 (2009); #26 (2008); #52 (2007); #46 (2006); #28 (2005);
America's Top Global Franchises:
#4 (2009); #8 (2008); #8 (2007); #17 (2006); #17 (2005);
#4 (2009); #6 (2008); #8 (2007); #13 (2006); #6 (2005);
Ranked #1 in category in:
2007; 2006; 2005;
Fastest-Growing Franchises:
#29 (2009); #26 (2008); #52 (2007); #46 (2006); #28 (2005);
America's Top Global Franchises:
#4 (2009); #8 (2008); #8 (2007); #17 (2006); #17 (2005);