Franchisor Stories
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: With more than 3,500 locations across the U.S., this drive-in restaurant franchise is known for carhops, customizable drinks and its all-day menu.
Sonic Drive-In is one of America’s most iconic QSR brands, built around a differentiated drive-in format, a massive beverage platform and the nostalgic carhop experience. Now part of Inspire Brands, Sonic has continued to expand with updated restaurant models, digital ordering capabilities and strong franchisee support systems.
Sonic was founded in 1953 in Shawnee, Oklahoma by Troy Smith, who pioneered a drive-in format where guests ordered through speakers and food was delivered by carhops. That combination of speed, novelty and hospitality created a loyal following and powered franchise growth throughout the 1970s, 80s and 90s.
Today, Sonic is under the Inspire Brands umbrella (alongside Arby’s, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, Buffalo Wild Wings and others). The system has grown to more than 3,500 locations in 46 states, with nearly all restaurants owned by franchisees.
Mission: To deliver a fun, personalized and nostalgic drive-in dining experience powered by fast service, craveable food and the most customizable drink menu in QSR.
Vision: To remain America’s leading drive-in concept — known for innovation, convenience and one-of-a-kind guest experiences — while expanding into new markets and modernizing restaurant formats.
Sonic is built for operators seeking a differentiated experience, strong brand equity and modernized support. The brand offers:
Sonic continues to expand nationwide. Visit the Available Opportunities page on the brand’s franchising website for more information and to explore the interactive map.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a traditional Sonic franchise ranges from $1,676,000 to $3,140,900, not including real estate. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Franchise Fee | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| Training Expenses | $8,200 | $93,600 |
| Franchisee Certified Training & Team Expenses | $15,200 | $42,500 |
| Prepaid Expenses | $2,000 | $125,000 |
| Building Costs | $800,000 | $1,100,000 |
| Site Work | $450,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Restaurant Equipment | $175,000 | $260,000 |
| Point-of-Sale System, Digital Menu Housings & Other Technology | $105,000 | $160,000 |
| External Signage | $50,000 | $150,000 |
| Beginning Inventory | $20,000 | $50,000 |
| Advertising Funds | $2,000 | $5,000 |
| Insurance Premiums | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Payroll | $26,800 | $94,800 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $5,000 | $25,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee required to begin operation of a Sonic Drive-In restaurant is $15,000 for traditional locations. This fee is payable upon signing the franchise agreement.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2025 FDD, Sonic Drive-In franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty | 5% of gross sales/month |
| Sonic Brand Fund | 0.9% of gross sales/month |
| System Marketing Fund | 1.625 - 3.25% of gross sales/month |
| Brand Technology Fund | 0.25% of gross sales/month |
ROI Potential: According to the 2025 FDD, the 3,086 Sonic Drive-In franchise restaurants operating for the entirety of FY 2024 reported the following gross sales:
| Quartile | Average | Median | High | Low |
| Top 25% (772) | $2,398,950 | $2,270,659 | $4,838,846 | $1,919,501 |
| 2nd 25% (772) | $1,693,845 | $1,690,128 | $1,919,295 | $1,502,041 |
| 3rd 25% (771) | $1,320,788 | $1,320,171 | $1,501,675 | $1,146,519 |
| Bottom 25% (771) | $935,705 | $969,886 | $1,146,501 | $282,129 |
| All (3,086) | $1,587,024 | $1,500,713 | $4,838,846 | $282,129 |
Sonic works closely with franchisees during site selection, design, permitting and construction. The Inspire Brands real estate team assists with market evaluation, traffic studies, trade-area modeling and contractor coordination. The brand provides full project management from lease signing to final inspection.
Sonic provides an intensive eight-week pre-opening training program designed to fully prepare new franchisees for the pace and expectations of operating a drive-in restaurant. Throughout this period, franchisees immerse themselves in every core aspect of Sonic operations, including operations management, customer service execution, marketing practices, financial oversight, inventory procedures and food safety standards. The curriculum blends classroom instruction, hands-on exercises and in-restaurant practice so franchisees gain both technical knowledge and the real-world experience needed to run a Sonic successfully.
Experienced trainers guide franchisees through each stage of the program, sharing best practices, real examples and practical insights drawn from years in the QSR industry. Trainees develop a deep understanding of scheduling and staffing, product quality assurance, workflow management, carhop service, drive-thru throughput and guest-experience optimization. By the end of the program, each franchisee has a clear, working knowledge of how to manage a Sonic restaurant day-to-day.
Training does not end once the doors open. Sonic continues to support franchisees with ongoing access to dedicated advisors who can answer questions, troubleshoot operational issues, support marketing execution and offer recommendations to improve customer satisfaction. Whether the issue involves staffing, menu execution or promotional planning, franchisees can rely on Sonic’s support teams to provide timely and practical guidance. This ongoing relationship ensures owners have the tools, resources and coaching needed to build a strong and sustainable business after opening.
Sonic provides franchisees with a modern technology platform designed to streamline operations and improve guest service. Each restaurant uses a proprietary POS system built specifically for the drive-in model, allowing teams to manage stall orders, drive-thru traffic, mobile transactions and in-person payments through one integrated system. This setup helps improve order accuracy and speed of service.
Franchisees also have access to Sonic’s digital ordering and rewards platforms, which give customers an easy way to customize and place orders while providing operators with valuable insights into guest behavior. Real-time dashboards make it simple to track sales trends, labor performance, inventory needs and promotional results.
Because the Sonic Drive-In system is primarily focused on multi-unit growth, candidates should also be aware that the financial requirements increase as additional restaurants are added to a development plan.
Sonic seeks franchisees who bring a sales-minded approach, experience in franchise operations or ownership, a strong understanding of business fundamentals and a meaningful connection to their local communities. These attributes help ensure owners are prepared to lead teams, engage customers and build a thriving multi-unit operation within the Sonic system.
Sonic expects franchisees to be actively involved in the communities they serve, continuing the brand’s long-standing tradition of local engagement. Operators often support literacy programs, school initiatives, fundraisers and community events, helping build strong relationships and reinforcing Sonic’s role as a trusted neighbor. The brand also requires that either the franchisee or an operating partner live in the market where the restaurant is located, ensuring hands-on involvement in daily operations, team leadership and guest experience.
Sonic does not offer direct or indirect financing and cannot guarantee any notes, leases or other financial obligations. However, the brand maintains a preferred list of lenders who are familiar with the Sonic model and have experience supporting franchisees through the funding process. Sonic is also listed on the SBA Franchise Registry as an approved franchise, which may streamline SBA loan options for qualified candidates seeking financing.
“They said, ‘You really can be an owner. You can control your own destiny. You can control the income you're gonna make.’ So that was really the hook for me that got me to come to Sonic 28 years ago.
“When they invited me to come to one of the managers’ meetings … I got to meet a bunch of managers, and they were all talking about how much money they made. That was really the kicker for me.”
– Tony Simpkins, Franchisee — Austin, Texas
The global fast-food market is expected to grow by $119.6 billion between 2025 and 2029, progressing at a 3% CAGR. Growth is being driven by strong online ordering adoption, expanding vendor digital presence and continued demand for convenience foods across key QSR categories
Sonic operates within the broader QSR burger-and-snack category alongside major brands such as McDonald’s, Dairy Queen, Checkers/Rally’s, Culver’s and Freddy’s. However, Sonic distinguishes itself by being the only national brand that still operates a true drive-in model at scale. Its signature beverage platform, extensive customization options and carhop service create a guest experience that is difficult to replicate in traditional drive-thru concepts. This differentiation allows Sonic to stand out in a saturated QSR landscape and generate strong repeat business across a wide demographic range.
Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves.
Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.
Disclaimer: This content is for information only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.
All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the email constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.
Sign up for the 1851 Franchise newsletter to get our biggest stories before everyone else
By signing up, you agree to our user agreement (including class action waiver and arbitration provisions), and acknowledge our privacy policy.
