Sonic Drive-In

Sonic Drive-In Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Drive-in fast-food restaurant franchise known for its burgers, hot dogs, and iconic carhop service, offering a wide range of menu options.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

Franchisees

3144

-2%

Franchise fee

$15,000

Investment

$669,000 - $3,141,000

Revenue (AUV)

$1,501,000

-1.4%

Founded in 1953 and officially incorporated in 1990, Sonic Drive-In is a well-known American drive-in fast food chain. Today, this iconic brand is part of the Inspire Brands family, with its headquarters based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Sonic Drive-In's menu features a delightful selection of French fries and hamburgers, along with a variety of other tasty options such as chili dogs, corn dogs, onion rings, soft drinks, milkshakes, sundaes, and more. The restaurant is also famous for its unique drive-in service, where carhops on roller skates deliver food directly to customers' vehicles.

The company is committed to providing high-quality food and exceptional service, making it a beloved destination for fast food enthusiasts across the United States. Sonic continues to innovate with new menu items and seasonal promotions, ensuring a fresh and exciting experience for its customers.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure	Freestanding Leased (Low)	Freestanding Leased (High)	C-Store Leased (Low)	C-Store Leased (High)	Drive-Thru Only Leased (Low)	Drive-Thru Only Leased (High)
Initial Franchise Fee	$15,000	$15,000	$15,000	$15,000	$15,000	$15,000
Travel and Living Expenses During Training	$8,200	$93,600	$8,200	$93,600	$8,200	$93,600
Franchisee Certified Training Team Expenses	$15,200	$42,500	$15,200	$42,500	$15,200	$42,500
Prepaid Expenses	$2,000	$125,000	$2,000	$15,000	$2,000	$15,000
Real Property / Occupancy Charge	Variable	Variable	$0	$35,000	Variable	Variable
Building Costs	$800,000	$1,100,000	$250,000	$500,000	$800,000	$1,100,000
Site Work	$450,000	$1,000,000	$50,000	$100,000	$400,000	$1,000,000
Restaurant Equipment	$175,000	$260,000	$175,000	$260,000	$175,000	$260,000
POS, POPS & Other Technology	$105,000	$160,000	$70,000	$80,000	$90,000	$120,000
External Signage	$50,000	$150,000	$30,000	$50,000	$50,000	$150,000
Beginning Inventory	$20,000	$50,000	$10,000	$25,000	$10,000	$25,000
Advertising Funds	$2,000	$5,000	$2,000	$5,000	$2,000	$5,000
Insurance Premiums	$10,000	$20,000	$10,000	$20,000	$10,000	$20,000
Payroll	$26,800	$94,800	$26,800	$94,800	$26,800	$94,800
Additional Funds (3 Months)	$5,000	$25,000	$5,000	$25,000	$5,000	$25,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment	$1,676,000	$3,140,900	$669,200	$1,360,900	$1,609,200	$2,965,900

Type of Expenditure	Freestanding Leased (Low)	Freestanding Leased (High)	C-Store Leased (Low)	C-Store Leased (High)	Drive-Thru Only Leased (Low)	Drive-Thru Only Leased (High)
Initial Franchise Fee	$15,000	$15,000	$15,000	$15,000	$15,000	$15,000
Travel and Living Expenses During Training	$8,200	$93,600	$8,200	$93,600	$8,200	$93,600
Franchisee Certified Training Team Expenses	$15,200	$42,500	$15,200	$42,500	$15,200	$42,500
Prepaid Expenses	$2,000	$125,000	$2,000	$15,000	$2,000	$15,000
Real Property / Occupancy Charge	Variable	Variable	$0	$35,000	Variable	Variable
Building Costs	$800,000	$1,100,000	$250,000	$500,000	$800,000	$1,100,000
Site Work	$450,000	$1,000,000	$50,000	$100,000	$400,000	$1,000,000
Restaurant Equipment	$175,000	$260,000	$175,000	$260,000	$175,000	$260,000
POS, POPS & Other Technology	$105,000	$160,000	$70,000	$80,000	$90,000	$120,000
External Signage	$50,000	$150,000	$30,000	$50,000	$50,000	$150,000
Beginning Inventory	$20,000	$50,000	$10,000	$25,000	$10,000	$25,000
Advertising Funds	$2,000	$5,000	$2,000	$5,000	$2,000	$5,000
Insurance Premiums	$10,000	$20,000	$10,000	$20,000	$10,000	$20,000
Payroll	$26,800	$94,800	$26,800	$94,800	$26,800	$94,800
Additional Funds (3 Months)	$5,000	$25,000	$5,000	$25,000	$5,000	$25,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment	$1,676,000	$3,140,900	$669,200	$1,360,900	$1,609,200	$2,965,900

Franchise Disclosure Document

Create an account to access and download this FDD. For more information, see our plans here.

Number of units

Training

Sonic Drive-In offers a thorough training program designed to ensure franchisees are fully prepared to manage their franchises effectively. Here’s an overview of the training process:

Before the restaurant opens, a designated Franchisee Certified Training Team from the franchisee's side must complete a certification training lasting approximately 5 weeks. This training encompasses various on-the-job topics, including restaurant setup, crew station training, and improving the guest experience.

Although there is no tuition fee for the certification training, the franchisee is responsible for covering the salaries, travel, and living expenses of all participants, as well as any necessary training materials.

Additionally, Sonic provides ongoing training programs, online training, and webinars for management personnel at no cost. These resources include station courses and advanced manager leadership classes, ensuring continuous development and operational excellence.

Territory Protection

Franchisees are granted the right to operate a Sonic Drive-In Restaurant within a specific area known as the "Protected Area." Within this zone, they are required to develop and manage their Franchised Restaurants. However, while the Protected Area provides certain territorial rights, it does not guarantee exclusivity.

Franchisees are not permitted to utilize other distribution channels, such as the Internet, catalog sales, telemarketing, or direct marketing, to make sales either within or outside of their Protected Area.

Furthermore, Sonic and its affiliates retain the right to use these distribution channels to make sales within the Protected Area using the Proprietary Marks, without providing compensation to the franchisee.