Sonic Drive In Restaurants

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.

300 Johnny Bench Dr. Oklahoma City, OK 73104

Phone: (800)569-6656

Franchisor has 200 employee(s)

Franchise Growth

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	2,851	0	0	665
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
Outside the U.S.: Australia/new zealand, Canada

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.

Total investment: $1.2M-3.2M Franchise fee: $45K

Ongoing royalty fee: 2-5% Term of agreement: 20 years, renewable

Express/kiosk option available

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

• 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

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);