Sonic Drive-In

EST. 1953 · Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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US UNITS3,5042025 record · QSR Pro estimates

GLOBAL UNITS3,5002025 record · QSR Pro estimates

FRANCHISED %90%2025 record · QSR Pro estimates

FRANCHISE REQUIREMENTSView source notes ↓Figures, scope and source dates

01Our Coverage

12 STORIES

Latest

Sonic Drive-In's Retro Format: Charming Relic or Competitive Advantage?

Sonic Drive-In still sends servers on roller skates to your car. In an era of mobile ordering and AI drive-thrus, is the retro format a strength or a liability?

Mar 19, 2026

Sonic Drive-In Franchise Review: The Unique Economics of Carhops and Drive-In ServiceNov 5, 2025 Freddy's Frozen Custard Changes PE Hands: What Serial Buyouts Tell Us About QSR Franchise Valuations in 2026Mar 24, 2026 QSR Mergers and Acquisitions 2026: Who's Buying WhomMar 20, 2026 Private Equity in QSR: The Roark Capital PlaybookMar 20, 2026 Franchise vs Independent Restaurant: Pros, Cons, and Honest Economics ComparisonMar 20, 2026 Fast Food Nutrition Comparison: Calories, Sodium, and Healthiest Options by ChainMar 20, 2026 Why QSR Drive-Thru Speakers Are Getting an AI Upgrade and What It Means for Order AccuracyMar 20, 2026 Five Guys: The Anti-Franchise FranchiseMar 20, 2026 Best Fast Food Franchise to Own in 2026Mar 19, 2026 Cybersecurity for QSR: Why Restaurants Are the New Target for HackersMar 19, 2026 QSR Pro's Inaugural Power Rankings: The 25 Chains That Matter Most in 2026Mar 18, 2026

02About the Brand

Drive-in restaurant chain with carhop service

FIG 1 — US UNIT COUNT, 2019–2025

3,441

2019

3,479

2020

3,507

2021

3,511

2022

3,483

2023

3,448

2024

3,504

2025

RECORD YEARS AND SOURCE LABELS BELOW

Records can refer to different reporting dates within a year. Estimates are identified in the source labels; these records are not a like-for-like growth calculation.

2019: QSR Pro estimates
2020: QSR Pro estimates
2021: QSR Pro estimates
2022: QSR Pro estimates
2023: QSR Pro estimates
2024: QSR Pro estimates
2025: QSR Pro estimates

Franchise Requirements

Availability and model

The brand offers multiple restaurant formats. Site, format and market availability require confirmation during the application process.

United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor

SONIC — Inspire Brands franchisingSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).Document basis: Official web summary referring to the FDD issued March 26, 2026.

Operating commitment

The published process includes application, discussion with the franchise team, FDD review and an interview before signing.

United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor

SONIC — Inspire Brands franchisingSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).Document basis: Official web summary referring to the FDD issued March 26, 2026.

Initial investment / development estimate: $1,485,200–$2,522,900
US web-summary investment range; confirm the applicable restaurant format
SONIC — Inspire Brands franchisingSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).Document basis: Official web summary referring to the FDD issued March 26, 2026.
Initial franchise fee: $15,000
US initial franchise fee as listed in the web summary
SONIC — Inspire Brands franchisingSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).Document basis: Official web summary referring to the FDD issued March 26, 2026.
Separate development fee: $10,000
US; per restaurant
Listed separately from the initial franchise fee; confirm timing and any credits in the FDD.
SONIC — Inspire Brands franchisingSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).Document basis: Official web summary referring to the FDD issued March 26, 2026.
Liquid capital / personal funds: $500,000
US candidate liquid-assets requirement
SONIC — Inspire Brands franchisingSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).Document basis: Official web summary referring to the FDD issued March 26, 2026.
Net worth: $1,000,000
US candidate net-worth requirement
SONIC — Inspire Brands franchisingSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).Document basis: Official web summary referring to the FDD issued March 26, 2026.
Royalty / service fee: 5%
Percentage of gross sales
SONIC — Inspire Brands franchisingSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).Document basis: Official web summary referring to the FDD issued March 26, 2026.
Advertising / marketing contribution: 3.25%
Percentage of gross sales
SONIC — Inspire Brands franchisingSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).Document basis: Official web summary referring to the FDD issued March 26, 2026.

Full cost guide and sources →Official Sonic Drive-In website

Segment Peers

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