Sonic Drive-In

Following World War II, Sonic founder Troy N. Smith Sr., returned to his hometown of Seminole, Oklahoma, where he became employed as a milkman. He decided to work delivering bread because bread is lighter than milk. Soon afterwards, Smith purchased the Cottage Cafe, a little diner in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Before long, he sold it and opened a fast-food service, Troy's Pan Full of Chicken, on the edge of town. In 1953, Smith joined with a business partner to purchase a five-acre parcel of land that had a log house and a walk-up root beer stand named the Top Hat. The two continued operating the root beer stand and converted the log house into a steak restaurant. After realizing that the stand was averaging $700 a week in the sale of root beer, hamburgers, and hot dogs, Smith decided to focus on the more-profitable root beer stand. He bought out his business partner.{{cite book|last=Blackburn|first=Bob L.|title=Sonic: The History of America's Drive-in|year=2009|publisher=Cottonwood Publications|location=Oklahoma City, Okla|isbn=978-9720244024}}

Initially, Top Hat customers parked their automobiles anywhere on the gravel parking lot and walked up to place orders. In Louisiana, Smith saw a drive-in that used speakers for ordering. He suspected that he could increase his sales by controlling the parking and having the customers order from speakers at their cars, with carhops delivering the food to the cars. Smith borrowed several automobiles from a friend who owned a used-car lot to establish a layout for controlled parking. He also had some so-called "jukebox boys" wire an intercom system in the parking lot. Sales immediately tripled. Charles Woodrow Pappe, an entrepreneur, saw the Shawnee drive-in and was impressed. Smith and he negotiated the first franchise location in Woodward, Oklahoma, in 1956, based on a handshake. By 1958, two more drive-ins were built, in Enid and Stillwater.

File:Sonic Neon Sign, OK History Center.jpg at the Oklahoma History Center]]

Upon learning that the Top Hat name was already trademarked, Smith and Pappe changed its name to the Sonic brand in 1959. The new name worked with their existing slogan, "Service with the Speed of Sound". After the name change, the first Sonic sign was installed at the Stillwater Top-Hat Drive-In. This was the first of three Sonics in Stillwater. The original Sonic with the first sign was demolished and renovated in May 2015. Although Smith and Pappe were being asked to help open new franchise locations, no real royalty plan was in place. The pair decided to have their paper company charge an extra penny for each Sonic-label hamburger bag it sold. The proceeds would then be split between Smith and Pappe. The first franchise contracts under this plan were drawn up, but still no joint marketing plan, standardized menu, or detailed operating requirements were in place.

File:Lamar County Historical Museum February 2016 10 (Sonic Drive-In stand).jpg]]

Sonic's founders formed Sonic Supply as a supply and distribution division in the 1960s. Under Smith, longtime franchise holders Marvin Jirous and Matt Kinslow were hired to run the division. In 1973, Sonic Supply was restructured as a franchise company that was briefly named Sonic Systems of America. It provided franchisees with equipment, building plans, and basic operational instructions. As the company grew into a regionally known operation during the 1960s and 1970s, the drive-ins were mainly in small towns in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, Missouri, and Arkansas. In 1967, the year Pappe died, the brand had 41 drive-ins. By 1972, this number had risen to 165, and by 1978, 1000.

In 1968, Sonic introduced the Pickle-O's, fried pickle slices.{{cite news|last=Velasco|first=Schuyler|title=10 fast foods that have disappeared: 8. Pickle-O's |url= http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/2013/0821/10-fast-foods-that-have-disappeared/Pickle-O-s |access-date=March 11, 2014|newspaper=Christian Science Monitor|date=August 21, 2013}}

In 1977, the company established the Sonic School for manager training. Franchisees operated most of the drive-ins and often made the store manager a business partner, which is the case even to the present day.{{cite web|url=http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=SO007 |title=Sonic | The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture |publisher=Okhistory.org |access-date=2017-11-07}}{{cite web | title =Company History: Sonic Corp.| work =Hoover's Company Profiles| publisher =Answers.com| url= http://www.answers.com/topic/sonic-corporation| access-date =May 22, 2012}}

In 1983, the company's board of directors hired C. Stephen Lynn as president. In 1984, Lynn hired attorney J. Clifford Hudson to head the legal department. Under Lynn, Sonic and its major franchisees began to encourage the development of local-advertising cooperatives, under the leadership of Keith Sutterfield as advertising manager and later as VP of marketing in which Sutterfield developed a field structure to work with the franchisees. New franchises began to expand the company into new areas and redevelop markets that had been unsuccessful in the past. These developments, combined with a major advertising campaign featuring singer and actor Frankie Avalon, led to significant growth and a new image that made Sonic a nationally recognized name. In 1986, Lynn, with a group of investors, completed a $10-million leveraged buyout and took the company private. The next year, Sonic moved its offices to leased space in downtown Oklahoma City and began to assume a higher profile in the community.{{cite news |url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Sonic-Corp-company-History.html |title=Sonic Corp. |publisher=Funding Universe |access-date=February 29, 2012}}

In 1991, Sonic became a publicly traded company again. By 1994, the corporation had renegotiated the franchise agreements with its franchisees.

During the mid-1990s, Sonic opened 100–150 new stores a year. Beginning in 1998, Sonic began a retrofit program, called "Sonic 2000", to redesign and update all {{formatnum:1750}} stores in its chain to what was called a "retro-future" look.

Hudson was named chairman of Sonic Corp. in January 2000.[https://www.sonicdrivein.com/corporate/executive-team/5747610597982208-J.%20Clifford%20Hudson Executive Team Member Profile: J. Clifford Hudson] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703032724/https://www.sonicdrivein.com/corporate/executive-team/5747610597982208-J.%20Clifford%20Hudson |date=July 3, 2022 }}. Official Sonic Web Site, America's Drive-in Brand Properties LLC.

In September of 2002, Sonic Corporation introduced PartnerNet to its franchisees, an intranet array of services which for the first time, digitally linked all Sonic Drive-in locations to Sonic Corporation. The new intranet was via Hughes Satellite Services and provided advancements like credit card processing and video training. The compulsory service package was headlined with the introduction of Sonic Live Radio by StudioStream Signature Sound, featuring a toll-free request line, 866-SONIC-FM, and live on-air personalities. The live radio style was first of its kind for corporate America, later emulated by the likes of Walmart. Sonic Live Radio, in beta since 2001, was released to all locations in February of 2003.

Sonic gained further attention in 2003 following the release of comedic reality show The Simple Life starring Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. Hilton and Richie, previously with no experience in having a job, had to work in a Sonic site in Altus, Arkansas.

Celebrating its 50th birthday in 2003, Sonic briefly added the Birthday Cake Shake to the menu.{{cite news |url=http://journalrecord.com/2003/05/05/sonic-celebrates-50-years-with-new-birthday-cake-shake-around-town/ |title=Sonic celebrates 50 years with new birthday cake shake: Around Town |date=May 5, 2003 |publisher=The Journal Record |access-date=August 9, 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/SONC/970400271x0x122380/9cfbf523-8a31-4f0b-ae91-a21d39d01713/122380.pdf |title=Sonic Drive-In shakes things up for its 50 th Birthday in May |access-date=March 16, 2012 |archive-date=September 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917034528/http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/SONC/970400271x0x122380/9cfbf523-8a31-4f0b-ae91-a21d39d01713/122380.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://www.chathamjournal.com/weekly/business/localbusiness/sonic-opening-50823.shtml |title=Sonic grand opening is a wiener |date=August 23, 2005 |publisher=Chatham Journal |access-date=August 9, 2012}} As a part of the anniversary celebration, Pickle-O's made another appearance as a recurring item. Development milestones celebrated in the 2000s include the opening of the {{formatnum:3000}}th Sonic Drive-In in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and the {{formatnum:3500}}th Sonic Drive-In in the Chicago market (Algonquin, Illinois).{{cite web|url=http://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/sonic-touts-3500-driven-ins-milestone |title=Sonic Touts 3,500 Driven-Ins Milestone — Restaurant News |date=January 2, 2009 |publisher=QSR magazine |access-date=March 16, 2012}} In October 2004, President Pattye Moore stepped down to spend more time with her family.{{cite web |url=http://newsok.com/sonic-president-leaving-for-more-family-time/article/2865732 |title =Sonic president leaving for more family time}}

On June 28, 2005, helped by new menu items and increased advertising exposure, Sonic Corp. reported double-digit increases in net income and revenue in the third quarter that year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ok.gov/|title=Welcome to Oklahoma's Official Web Site|website=www.ok.gov}} On January 5, 2005, the company started to install card readers in the drive-in stalls at its 544 company-owned locations by the end of January that year.{{Cite web|url=https://oklahoman.com/article/2879977/sonic-makes-it-easier-for-card-carrying-customers/|title=Sonic makes it easier for card-carrying customers|date=January 5, 2005|website=Oklahoman.com}} In 2007, the company opened its first stores in the Northeastern United States, in Waretown, New Jersey.{{cite web|url=http://njmonthly.com/articles/restaurants/sonic-boom.html |title=Sonic, The Fast Food Drive-In Chain, Is Taking Over New Jersey |publisher=njmonthly.com |access-date=March 16, 2012}}

In 2009, Sonic partnered with DonorsChoose.org on a collaborative effort, Limeades for Learning, the chain's first systemwide cause marketing initiative. Public school teachers request needed supplies and materials and Sonic customers vote on how to allocate over $500,000 each autumn. In the first seven years of the program, Sonic and its franchisees donated more than $6 million and impacted learning for more than 349,000 students nationwide.{{cite web |url= https://www.foundation.sonicdrivein.com/ |title=Sonic Foundation/Limeades for Learning Landing page|access-date=May 5, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.qsrweb.com/news/sonic-moves-into-super-sonic-phase-with-limeade-for-learning-campaign/ |title=Sonic moves into super-sonic phase with Limeade for Learning campaign |publisher=QSRWeb |date=2016-09-27 |access-date=2017-11-07}}

In September 2009, Omar Janjua joined the company as president of its restaurant operating subsidiary, Sonic Restaurants, Inc.{{cite web|url=http://us.vocuspr.com/Newsroom/ViewAttachment.aspx?SiteName=sonicCollateralXML&attachmentid=1bba1255-8fda-4a35-b31e-2c67167c8d7b&attachmenttype=F&entity=PRAsset&entityid=103873 |title=Sonic Appoints New President Of Sonic Restaurants, Inc. And Announces Other Management Change |access-date=March 16, 2012}}{{cite magazine |url=http://nrn.com/article/sonic-names-omar-janjua-chain-president |title=Sonic names Omar Janjua chain president |date=September 7, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120727154322/https://www.nrn.com/article/sonic-names-omar-janjua-chain-president |archive-date=2012-07-27 |access-date=November 27, 2019 |url-status=dead |magazine=Nation's Restaurant News |author=Ron Ruggless}}{{cite web|url= https://press.sonicdrivein.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/newsarticle-asset-20090908-10221.pdf|title= Sonic Appoints New President of Sonic Restaurants, Inc. and Announces Other Management Changes |access-date=May 5, 2023}} and left in 2015.

Despite growth into new markets outside their traditional footprint, the company was hit hard by the recession of 2008–2009. In 2009, the brand had multiple quarters of declines in same-store sales. Plans to bring Sonic to Alaska had not yet come to fruition.{{cite web|url=https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/24997/sonic-declares-preliminary-results |title=Sonic Declares Preliminary Results |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108035240/https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/24997/sonic-declares-preliminary-results |archive-date=2017-11-08 |publisher=Zacks.com |date=2009-09-18 |access-date=2019-11-27 |url-status=dead}}Staff writer (September 18, 2009). [https://finance.yahoo.com/news/Sonic-Declares-Preliminary-zacks-1621141001.html?x=0&.v=1 "Sonic Declares Preliminary Earnings"] {{dead link|date=November 2019}}. Zacks Equity Research via Yahoo! Finance. Accessed 2009-10-16. On October 26, 2015, Sonic opened its first Rhode Island location in Smithfield, reporting to have received 500 orders on its opening day.{{cite web|last=Tomison |first=Bill |url=http://wpri.com/2015/10/26/sonic-drive-in-opens-in-smithfield/ |title=SONIC Drive-In opens in Smithfield | WPRI 12 Eyewitness News |publisher=Wpri.com |date=2015-10-26 |access-date=2017-11-07}} In the mid-2010s, the company began a refranchising effort and began to add to its numbers of stores again.{{cite web|url=https://www.qsrweb.com/news/sonic-franchise-deal-puts-refranchising-program-ahead-of-schedule/ |title=Sonic franchise deal puts refranchising program ahead of schedule |publisher=QSRWeb |date=2017-02-09 |access-date=2017-11-07}}

In January 2010, Sonic announced that they would begin switching to cage-free eggs, gestation crate-free pork, and chickens killed using controlled-atmosphere stunning methods instead of traditional shackling and electrical stunning.{{cite web |url=http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2010/01/sonic_011510.html |title=Sonic Hatches New Animal Welfare Policy (Press release) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114181233/http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2010/01/sonic_011510.html |archive-date=2011-01-14 |url-status=dead |website=Humane Society |date=January 15, 2010 |access-date=2019-11-27}} However, the company has subsequently backtracked on these commitments and has faced widespread public criticism.{{Cite web |last=Joslin |first=Sierra |date=May 15, 2024 |title=Sonic under fire for using cramped cages for pregnant pigs. |url=https://okcfox.com/news/local/sonic-under-fire-for-using-cramped-cages-for-pregnant-pigs-crate-animal-equality-consumer-treatment-factory |access-date=July 24, 2024}}

Sonic reformulated its soft-serve ice cream to meet the FDA standards of identity that define what constitutes real ice cream and introduced Real Ice Cream on May 17, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://us.vocuspr.com/Newsroom/ViewAttachment.aspx?SiteName=sonicCollateralXML&attachmentid=07686ee1-118b-4e5b-b9db-519612b4e236&attachmenttype=F&entity=PRAsset&entityid=104155 |title=Sonic Keeps It Real This Summer with the Introduction of Real Ice Cream |access-date=March 16, 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.slashfood.com/2010/05/18/sonic-promotes-real-ice-cream-launch-with-free-shakes/ |title=Sonic Promotes 'Real Ice Cream' Launch With Free Shakes |date=May 17, 2010 |access-date=August 9, 2012 |author=Jennifer Lawinski |publisher=Huffington Post Food |archive-date=August 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120824225642/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/05/18/sonic-promotes-real-ice-cream-launch-with-free-shakes |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=https://www.qsrweb.com/news/sonic-upgrades-soft-serve-to-real-ice-cream/ |title=Sonic upgrades soft serve to 'Real Ice Cream' |publisher=QSRWeb |date=2010-05-16 |access-date=2017-11-07}} Several new hot dog items were also introduced in June 2010 and February 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrn.com/archive/sonic-introduces-new-footlong-hot-dog |title=Sonic introduces new footlong hot dog | Nation's Restaurant News |publisher=Nrn.com |date=2010-06-28 |access-date=2017-11-07}}{{cite web|url=http://us.vocuspr.com/Newsroom/ViewAttachment.aspx?SiteName=sonicCollateralXML&attachmentid=a4fe56a6-5da9-4fbf-847c-0f094b371ecc&attachmenttype=F&entity=PRAsset&entityid=104192 |title=Sonic Introduces New Footlong Quarter Pound Coney |access-date=March 16, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://us.vocuspr.com/Newsroom/ViewAttachment.aspx?SiteName=sonicCollateralXML&attachmentid=2e048b8b-a5c5-4a89-ac5d-c0d06fec9b69&attachmenttype=F&entity=PRAsset&entityid=105145 |title=Sonic Reinvents Ballpark Classic, Debuts Four New Premium Beef Hot Dogs |access-date=March 16, 2012}}{{cite web |url=https://www.qsrweb.com/news/sonic-rolls-out-bigger-better-footlong-quarter-pound-coney/ |title=Sonic rolls out bigger, better Footlong Quarter Pound Coney |date=June 27, 2010 |access-date=August 9, 2012 |author=Christa Hoyland |publisher=QSRweb}}{{cite web |url=http://nrn.com/article/menumasters-2012-sonic-americas-drive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726071648/https://www.nrn.com/article/menumasters-2012-sonic-americas-drive |archive-date=2012-07-26 |title=MenuMasters 2012: Sonic, America's Drive-In |date=April 20, 2012 |access-date=November 27, 2019 |publisher=Restaurant News |author=Christi Ravneberg}}

Craig Miller was hired as chief information officer in January 2012.{{cite web|last=Baskin |first=Anna |url=http://adage.com/article/people-players/people-move-james-o-reilly-sonic-s-cmo/232605/ |title=People on the Move: James O'Reilly Is Sonic's New CMO | People & Players |publisher=AdAge |date=2012-02-08 |access-date=2017-11-07}}{{cite web|url=http://us.vocuspr.com/Newsroom/ViewAttachment.aspx?SiteName=sonicCollateralXML&attachmentid=cf0e19c9-a7b9-46f8-9792-1aba6212a245&attachmenttype=F&entity=PRAsset&entityid=104009 |title=Sonic Appoints New Chief Information Officer |access-date=March 16, 2012}}{{cite web |url=https://www.sonicdrivein.com/corporate/executive-team |title=Executive Bios |access-date=August 9, 2012 |archive-date=April 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403080450/https://www.sonicdrivein.com/corporate/executive-team |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://nrn.com/article/sonic-names-james-o%E2%80%99reilly-cmo |publisher=Restaurant News |author=Ron Ruggless |date=February 3, 2012 |access-date=August 9, 2012 |title=Sonic names James O'Reilly CMO |archive-date=August 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120816011707/http://nrn.com/article/sonic-names-james-o%E2%80%99reilly-cmo |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.nrn.com/latest-headlines/sonic-names-james-o-reilly-cmo |title=Sonic names James O'Reilly CMO | Nation's Restaurant News |publisher=Nrn.com |date=2012-02-03 |access-date=2017-11-07}} In June 2010, Danielle Vona was hired as chief marketing officer.{{cite web|url=http://us.vocuspr.com/Newsroom/ViewAttachment.aspx?SiteName=sonicCollateralXML&attachmentid=3d4d896f-e975-4fef-b24f-35ec47204625&attachmenttype=F&entity=PRAsset&entityid=104181 |title=Sonic Appoints New Chief Marketing Officer |access-date=March 16, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rttnews.com/1339598/sonic-appoints-danielle-vona-chief-marketing-officer-quick-facts.aspx |title=Sonic Appoints Danielle Vona Chief Marketing Officer - Quick Facts |publisher=Rttnews.com |date=2010-06-21 |access-date=2017-11-07}}

In late 2010, Sonic announced the end of its 17-year relationship with advertising agency Barkley. A group of specialized agencies was selected to represent the company, and in early 2011, San Francisco-based Goodby Silverstein and Partners was named as the new creative agency for the company.{{cite web|last=Morrison |first=Maureen |url=http://adage.com/article/agency-news/sonic-names-goodby-creative-agency-record/148611/ |title=Sonic Names Goodby Creative Agency of Record | Agency News |publisher=AdAge |date=2011-02-02 |access-date=2017-11-07}}{{cite web|url=http://us.vocuspr.com/Newsroom/ViewAttachment.aspx?SiteName=sonicCollateralXML&attachmentid=7a16dd26-8ceb-47a4-a1b1-f30f184fbc3d&attachmenttype=F&entity=PRAsset&entityid=105223 |title=Goodby Silverstein & Partners Named as New Creative Agency of Record Sonic Rounds out Marketing Partners Portfolio |access-date=March 16, 2012}}{{cite magazine |url=http://adage.com/article/agency-news/sonic-names-goodby-creative-agency-record/148611/ |magazine=Ad Age |title=Sonic Names Goodby Creative Agency of Record |author=Maureen Morrison |date=February 2, 2011 |access-date=August 9, 2012}} In 2017, Sonic announced it would be adding seven new stores in Hawaii in the near future.{{cite web |url=http://www.kitv.com/story/31475163/sonic-opening-seven-locations-in-hawaii |title=Sonic announced it would be opening seven locations in Hawaii in the near future - Honolulu, Hawaii news, sports & weather - KITV Channel 4 |publisher=Kitv.com |access-date=2017-11-07 |archive-date=November 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111130024/http://www.kitv.com/story/31475163/sonic-opening-seven-locations-in-hawaii |url-status=dead }}

On September 25, 2018, Atlanta-based Inspire Brands, owner of Arby's and Buffalo Wild Wings, announced that it would acquire Sonic for $2.3 billion.{{cite news |last1=Thorn |first1=Bret |title=Inspire Brands to buy Sonic Corp. for $2.3B |url=https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/inspire-brands-buy-sonic-corp-23b |access-date=25 September 2018 |work=Nation's Restaurant News |date=25 September 2018}} The acquisition was completed on December 7, 2018.{{cite news |last1=Ruggless |first1=Ron |title=Inspire closes on Sonic acquisition |url=https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/inspire-closes-sonic-acquisition |access-date=8 December 2018 |work=Nation's Restaurant News |date=7 December 2018}}

In September 2017, Sonic opened its first location in Alaska in Wasilla,{{cite news |last1=Zak |first1=Annie |title=Open & Shut: Sonic makes its Alaska debut, plus a new location where Arctic Roadrunner used to be |url=https://www.adn.com/business-economy/2019/08/17/open-shut-sonic-makes-its-alaska-debut-plus-a-new-restaurant-where-arctic-roadrunner-used-to-be/ |access-date=25 August 2020 |work=Anchorage Daily News |date=17 August 2019}} and a year later it opened its second Alaska location in Fairbanks.{{cite web |url=https://facebook.com/FairbanksSonic/ |title=Sonic Drive-In |via=Facebook |access-date=3 July 2023 |lang=en |url-access=registration }}

In 2020, Sonic unveiled a new drive-in design with an updated, wider layout for car docks and the drive-thru lane, a new kitchen layout built for efficiency, and an aesthetic makeover.{{cite web| url=https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/sonic-unveils-new-drive-design-part-brand-makeover |title=Sonic unveils new drive-in design as part of brand makeover|publisher=Nation's Restaurant News|date=July 28, 2020}}

By March 2020, all locations indefinitely suspended patio dining due to COVID-19, but continued to serve take-away and pickup customers.

On November 21, 2020, a mass shooting occurred at the drive-thru of a Sonic Drive-In in Bellevue, Nebraska. Two people were killed, and two others were injured. A 23-year-old man was arrested; he had also allegedly made a bomb threat to the location before.{{cite news |title=Two people killed, two others wounded in Bellevue shooting; one man in custody|author=Jessica Wade & Alia Conley|date=November 21, 2020|work=Omaha World-Herald|url=https://omaha.com/news/local/two-people-killed-two-others-wounded-in-bellevue-shooting-one-man-in-custody/article_c03dcafd-f722-5727-bbb8-cb48f74b17ae.html|access-date=May 29, 2021}} In March 2022, the man pled guilty to all charges filed against him, including murder, attempted murder and arson.{{cite news|url=https://www.ktiv.com/2022/03/08/man-charged-2020-sonic-shooting-bellevue-pleads-guilty-all-charges/|title=

Man charged in 2020 Sonic shooting in Bellevue pleads guilty to all charges|last=Dvorak|first=Gina|agency=KTIV}} He asked to be sentenced to death, but was ordered to undergo mental health evaluation, and has not yet been sentenced as of 2023.{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Molly Ashford World-Herald Staff |date=2023-11-06 |title=Competency proceedings continue for Bellevue Sonic shooter |url=https://omaha.com/news/local/crime-courts/competency-proceedings-continue-for-bellevue-sonic-shooter/article_ce2fc37a-7cb6-11ee-9d10-2f085f02c3d0.html |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=Omaha World-Herald |language=en}}

File:Sonic in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.jpg]]

Although Sonic has operated since the early 1950s, Sonic Corp. incorporated in Delaware in 1990.{{Cite report|title=Dictatorship-era files discovered|doi = 10.1163/2210-7975_hrd-0564-1160}} It has its corporate headquarters in Oklahoma City; the headquarters building features a dine-in Sonic restaurant in an adjacent building. Prior to its acquisition by Inspire Brands, its stock traded on NASDAQ with the symbol SONC.{{cite web |url=http://thestockmarketwatch.com/stock-data.aspx?stock=SONC&a=showFilings |title=SONC Filings Information |access-date=May 29, 2012}} Most restaurants are owned and operated by franchisees. Total 2016 revenues were around $100 million with net income of $18 million.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/03/business/03smith.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1323800938-WnWxHHq9PwwdqKKx5nv6Tg |title=Troy Smith, Founder of Sonic, Dies at 87 |date=November 2, 2009 |access-date=May 29, 2012 |author=JAVIER C. HERNANDEZ |newspaper=The New York Times}}

In February 2019, employees of three Ohio locations resigned en masse due to management changes, as well as what they alleged was a 50% reduction of the employee hourly pay rate, a claim denied by Sonic.{{cite web |last1=Weissman |first1=Cale |title=Ohio Sonic drive-in staff quit after wages were reportedly reduced from Ohio's state minimum wage of $8.55/hour to $4/hour (plus tips) |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90313451/ohio-sonic-drive-in-staff-quit-after-wages-were-reportedly-reduced-to-4-hour |website=Fast Company |date=February 28, 2019 |access-date=1 March 2019}}{{cite web |last1=Forgie |first1=Adam |title=Entire staffs at 3 Sonic locations quit after wages cut to '$4/hour plus tips' |url=https://cbs4local.com/news/offbeat/entire-staffs-at-3-sonic-locations-quit-after-wages-cut-to-4hour-plus-tips |website=CBS4Local |date=March 2019 |access-date=2 March 2019 |archive-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044654/https://cbs4local.com/news/offbeat/entire-staffs-at-3-sonic-locations-quit-after-wages-cut-to-4hour-plus-tips |url-status=dead }}

In 2020, Sonic added a tipping feature via the online ordering app. In 2021, Sonic added an option to tip at the stalls.

File:Sonic Beach Logo.png

In June 2011, the first location under the name Sonic Beach was opened in Homestead, Florida. A second location, opened in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in November 2011, lacked drive-in stalls due to its beach-side location. Both locations included outdoor seating and flatscreen televisions, but have since closed.{{cite web| title = Ft. Lauderdale Beach Location| work = Sonic Beach| year = 2011| url = http://www.sonicbeach.com/place-fort-lauderdale| access-date = May 31, 2012}} A third location was opened in Miami Gardens. The fourth location was opened January 2014 in Lauderhill.{{cite web| title = Sonic Beach Florida Restaurants| work = Sonic Beach| year =2014| url = http://www.sonicbeach.com/sonic-beach-florida-restaurants| access-date = February 10, 2014}}

Along with the traditional menu items, Sonic Beach offered several new items, including popcorn shrimp, Philly cheesesteaks, and pulled pork sandwiches. Sonic Beach serves beer and wine.{{cite web| title = About Sonic Beach| work = Sonic Beach| year = 2011| url = http://www.sonicbeach.com/sonic-beach-restaurant| access-date = May 31, 2012}} Remaining locations have been rebranded under the traditional Sonic name, although retaining the Sonic Beach logo.

File:Sonic sign latham 2018.jpg

Sonic ran its first television advertisement in 1977. One of the company's most memorable advertising campaigns, which ran from 1987 to 1993, featured Frankie Avalon. In May 1999, the company began a new campaign featuring the character Katie the Carhop.{{cite web

| last = Arellano| first = Kristi| title = The Sonic Boom — Chain of Drive-Ins Making Big Comeback| publisher = Denver Business Journal| date = July 2, 1999| url = http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/1999/07/05/story6.html| access-date =July 5, 2008 }}

Sonic was also involved with NASCAR. The company contracted with Richard Childress Racing in late 2000 to be an associate sponsor for Dale Earnhardt Sr. during the 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season. After Earnhardt died in an accident at the 2001 Daytona 500, the company continued its sponsorship with his replacement driver Kevin Harvick, through the end of the 2003 season. Sonic returned to NASCAR several years later to sponsor Sam Hornish Jr. and Richard Petty Motorsports in 2015.{{cite news |url=https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/fun-facts-you-didn-t-know-about-sonic-america-s-drive-in-thrillist-nation |date=April 13, 2002 |title=Sponsors driving NASCAR success / Racing stars work hard with companies that pay the freight |author=Richard Alm |access-date=May 29, 2012 |newspaper=The Dallas Morning News}}

In 2004, the company became more widely known nationally by advertising in television markets hundreds of miles from its nearest franchise. Improvisational actors T. J. Jagodowski and Peter Grosz became known to American television viewers from their "Two Guys" series of commercials. Similar series of ads for the company have featured other duos of improvisational performers, including Molly Erdman and Brian Huskey, Katie Rich and Sayjal Joshi, and Emily Wilson and Tim Baltz.{{cite magazine |url=http://adage.com/article/ad-review/sonic-great-actors-great-ads/119271/ |title=Sonic Has Great Actors in Great Ads |date=July 16, 2007 |magazine=Ad Age |author=Bob Garfield |access-date=May 29, 2012}} In 2010, national auditions were held and a new series of commercials began airing, some of which featured carhops from Wisconsin and Austin, Texas. In 2012 the "Two Guys" returned to the company's television ads.{{cite web|author=Bob Marshall |url=http://www.adweek.com/agencyspy/sonics-two-guys-get-rehired-in-social-media-publicity-stunt/30684 |title=Sonic's 'Two Guys' Get 'Rehired' in Social Media Publicity Stunt | AgencySpy |publisher=Adweek.com |date=2012-02-22 |access-date=2017-11-07}} In 2018 Sonic supplemented their "Two Guys" commercials with complementary "Two Gals" commercials. The "Two Gals" are played by Ellie Kemper and Jane Krakowski.{{cite web|author=Peter Romeo|url=http://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/marketing/sonic-adds-2-gals-two-guys |title=SONIC ADDS 2 GALS TO 'TWO GUYS' |publisher=RestaurantBusinessOnline.com |date=2018-03-06 |access-date=2018-07-10}} In 2020, Sonic shifted their "Two Guys" campaign to a new campaign known as "Everyday People" with the same formula but with families instead of guys.

Slogans used by Sonic over the years include:

• "Service With the Speed of Sound" (1958)
• "Happy Eating" (1980s: on signs at many of the company's drive-ins)
• "America's Drive-In" (1987)
• "Faster and Better than Ever" (1988–1990)
• "No Place Hops like Sonic" (1990–1993)
• "Summer's Funner" (1993){{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vJ8xAAAAIBAJ&pg=6932,9218237&dq=sonic+summer%27s-funner&hl=en |date=June 15, 1993 |title=LaFayette Sonic taking part in summer jubilee |publisher=Walker County Messenger |access-date=May 29, 2012}}
• "Drive-In for a Change" (1995–1997)
• "All Summer Long" (1997)
• "It's Sonic Good" (2003-2011)
• "Sonic's Got It, Others Don't" (2007){{cite news |url=http://newsok.com/article/3177521/1196906228 |title=Adverb or adjective? Sometimes a close call |date=December 6, 2007 |author=Gene Owens |newspaper=The Oklahoman |access-date=May 29, 2012}}
• "Even Sweeter After Dark" (2009){{cite news |title=Lights, action, limeade |publisher=Examiner |author=Jeff Martin |date=June 12, 2009 }}
• "This is How You Sonic" (2011–2020){{cite web |url=http://www.brandchannel.com/home/post/2011/05/24/Sonic-Launches-This-Is-How-You-Facebook-Connect.aspx |title=Sonic Launches 'This Is How You Facebook Connect' Crowdsourcer |date=May 24, 2011 |access-date=May 29, 2012 |publisher=Brandchannel |author=Abe Sauer}}
• "Sonic Everywhere" (2016)
• "You Guys Wanna Hang Out Sometime" (2016)
• “This Is How We Sonic” (2020)
• "Mmm. Sonic." (2022)
• “Live Free, Eat Sonic” (2024)

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