SONIC DRIVE-IN
Sonic Drive-In franchises quick-service drive-in restaurants offering made-to-order cheeseburgers, chicken entrees, hot dogs, onion rings, tater tots, breakfast items, specialty drinks like cherry limeades and slushes, and ice cream desserts such as SONIC Blast treats. The business model includes Traditional Drive-Ins with carhop service, Drive-Thru Only, Non-Drive-In (e.g., convenience stores), and Non-Traditional locations, plus development agreements for multiple units and multi-brand co-locations with brands like Arby’s or Dunkin’. They target frequent fast-food consumers in a highly competitive quick-service restaurant market.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
5% royalty + 0.9% brand fee + 3.25% (minimum) advertising cooperative fee + 0.25% technology fee.
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: Data based on 3,086 franchised Sonic Restaurants operating for the full 2024 fiscal year, excluding new openings, closures, non-traditional, multi-brand, and company-owned units.
* All revenue figures were extracted directly from the 'Average Unit Volume for 2024 Franchised Traditional Restaurants' and 'Statistics for 2024 Franchised Traditional Restaurants' tables. The document explicitly states in point (5) on page 5 that financial performance representations do not reflect costs of sales, operating expenses, net income, or profit; hence, average_net_income, average_net_profit, average_ebitda, ebitda_margin_pct, best_guess_profit_low, and best_guess_profit_high are set to null.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How SONIC DRIVE-IN Compares to Other Fast Food Franchises
Key Insights
- Higher investment than 94% of Fast Food franchises
- Top 10 largest franchise system in Fast Food
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
SONIC DRIVE-IN Current | $1.7M - $3.1M | $15K | 5.0% | 3,441 |
| Burger King | $2.1M - $4.7M | $50K | 4.5% | 19,732 |
| MCDONALD'S | $1.5M - $2.6M | $45K | N/A | 12,772 |
| AFC | $45K - $151K | $6K | 9.5% | 3,572 |
| JIMMY JOHN'S | $366K - $728K | $35K | 6.0% | 2,647 |
| ARBY'S | $645K - $2.5M | $38K | 4.0% | 2,316 |
Fast Food Average 127 franchises | $605K - $1.5M | $35K | 6.1% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 127 Fast Food franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+32 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for SONIC DRIVE-IN franchisees (2010 - 2025)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
Unlock Franchisee Contact Database
3,233 franchisee contacts on file. Upgrade to see names, locations, phone numbers, and matched SBA loan data.
Upgrade to Pro$199/year · Cancel anytime
Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Franchisor-initiated suit to collect unpaid fees from a franchisee.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a SONIC DRIVE-IN franchise?
The total initial investment to open a SONIC DRIVE-IN franchise ranges from $1,676,000 to $3,140,900. This includes a franchise fee of $15,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 5.0% of gross sales.
How much revenue does a SONIC DRIVE-IN franchise make?
According to the 2025 FDD, the average gross revenue for a SONIC DRIVE-IN franchise is $1,587,024. The median revenue is $1,500,713.
How many SONIC DRIVE-IN franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, SONIC DRIVE-IN has 3,441 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 1974.
Can you get an SBA loan for a SONIC DRIVE-IN franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for SONIC DRIVE-IN franchises. Historical data shows 97 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for SONIC DRIVE-IN franchisees, with an average loan amount of $1,162,942. The historical default rate is 1.0%.
Is SONIC DRIVE-IN a good franchise to buy?
SONIC DRIVE-IN shows several positive indicators: established brand with 3,441+ locations, transparent financial performance data (Item 19), low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
Interested in SONIC DRIVE-IN?
Talk to a franchise advisor to get personalized guidance and learn if SONIC DRIVE-IN is the right fit for you.
Talk to an Advisor