Sonic Drive-In announced Tuesday five new agreements for franchise development in greater Washington, D.C., New York City, the Ohio River Valley, Alabama, Virginia, and Washington. A mainstay in the South and Central Plains, Sonic continues to expand in all areas of the country to meet ever-growing consumer demand.
Together, the new franchise groups bring more than 50 years of experience operating quick-service and fast-casual restaurant brands combined with other retail and financial backgrounds to provide a solid foundation for future success with SONIC:
Men of Grace, LLC will develop new drive-ins in the greater Washington, D.C. market including locations in Northern Virginia.
Current franchisee Northfork Holdings acquired 21 existing drive-ins in the Ohio River Valley, Tennessee and Missouri, with an additional 21 drive-ins planned over the next decade.
SD-Missouri acquired drive-ins in Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia, and plans to build an additional 20 drive-ins in markets in which they currently operate;
Eng LLC has signed an agreement to develop drive-ins in the five New York City boroughs over the next several years.
Olympic Cascade LLC will build 11 drive-ins in the state of Washington over the next 10 years.
“Sonic’s franchisee relationships are unparalleled in the quick-service industry, making the brand an attractive option for multi-unit franchisees seeking to build out their portfolio,” says Drew Ritger, Jr., senior vice president for development for Sonic. “With nearly 94 percent of the system franchise owned, a 64-year history and our unique menu, Sonic is a great choice for entrepreneurs interested in building their business with an established, franchise-centric brand that enjoys high consumer demand and room for growth.”
Always a drive-in at heart, Sonic works with franchisees to find a building solution to match their needs and the needs of their guests. Sonic offers franchisees flexibility with multiple drive-in formats, including: the traditional drive-in model with 14 to 29 dining stalls and a drive-thru; conversions, renovating existing restaurant buildings to create unique drive-ins; the counter service model, offering customizable footprints to fit a variety of indoor spaces including travel plazas; and indoor dining formats that allow guests to experience Sonic in multiple ways—either in their cars, at the drive-thru or seated at a table inside.
Individuals interested in pursuing a Sonic franchise are encouraged to visit sonicfranchises.com for more information on qualifications and brand support. Multi-unit opportunities are available in a number of markets including Atlanta, Indianapolis, and Philadelphia.
