Sonic Drive-In in Valliant, Oklahoma, wants people to know, “Truckers Welcome!”
This message scrolls across a large banner in front of the drive-in, and local franchisees, Tommy and Julie Dorries, have gone to great lengths to deliver a unique experience for truck drivers in a town that sees a lot of traffic from semi-trucks, trailers, motor homes, and school buses.
The drive-in features the first stall built specifically for them, with the SONIC menu and iconic “Press to Order” red button elevated approximately three feet higher than traditional stalls so they can order from the driver’s seat, as well as a circle drive to help drivers get back onto the main highway with ease.
“We have a lot of truck traffic in Valliant, so we wanted to make it easy for these drivers to enjoy Sonic as they pass through town,” says Tommy Dorries. “We probably have more than 20 trucks pull into this stall every day, and we’ve even fed entire ball teams pulling through on their buses. The drivers have been so appreciative, saying they’ve never seen anything like it.”
Mike Gallagher, vice president of development and franchising for Sonic, says, “We love what the Dorries have done in Valliant. We’re seeing strong demand for the Sonic experience in small towns across America, and we’re always looking for ways to creatively adapt our prototype to best meet the needs of the local community.
“The Dorries’ idea for a truck stall is a great example of that,” he adds. “At Sonic, we spend a lot of time talking to our franchisees because it’s often their ideas that drive innovation across the system.”
