Sonic Drive-In
Food: Quick-Service Restaurants → Hamburgers
Franchise with SONIC Drive-In
Bring an iconic drive-in experience and unmatched drink variety to your community.
Revenue Potential$4,800,647from the brand’s own disclosures
Total units3,412from the brand’s own disclosures
Brand overview
SONIC is an iconic leader in food and beverage innovation and a fan-favorite destination for drink combinations, tots, corn dogs, and smashburgers. As part of the Inspire Brands family, this drive-in and drive-thru quick-service restaurant operates across multiple flexible formats including inline, endcap, small format, and freestanding locations with drive-in stalls.
Availability
We are currently accepting inquiries in these states:
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Why choose
SONIC is ranked #56 on the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 and #25 on the Top Food Franchises list. As part of the Inspire Brands family, franchisees benefit from shared services and powerhouse brands that supercharge growth. Multiple flexible format options fit a variety of real estate spaces, from urban inline to freestanding drive-ins. The small format drive-thru specifically offers lower build costs and quicker openings.
Revenue Potential & Investment Requirements
Revenue Potential
$4,800,647
2026 FDD top performing unit
- Total investment
- $1,485,200–$2,522,900
- Franchise fee
- $15,000
- Cash Required
- $500,000
- Net worth
- $1,000,000
Growth Trends
Training & support
SONIC provides operational best practices and systems to guide your business. Franchisees receive initial and ongoing training programs, support from a dedicated Franchise Business Consultant, real estate optimization, and construction guidance to ensure a smooth path to opening.
Ideal candidate
Candidates must have a minimum of $500,000 in liquid assets and a net worth of at least $1,000,000 to qualify for SONIC franchise opportunities. We seek passionate individuals with the vision to create a lasting legacy through operational excellence and community engagement.