Sonic Corporation

[Jim Kyle]

ljbab, sorry if I came across as snarky in my last post... Just re-read it and didn't mean to come across that way.

I actually inquired about a franchise for Southern California several years ago and was told they were all taken. Whoever has the one for L.A. County had one very little in a very prime area. It's different franchisees for Orange County, San Diego and Bakersfield who are all building a bunch.

Aren't you in Ventura county? Or it just the area north of the coastal hills? I was in Ventura county and the dividing line was just a bit northwest of Chatsworth...

[Pete]

Duarte is lightyears from downtown L.A. in terms of travel time and Anaheim is twice as bad.

Let's put it this way, no one in Los Angeles has any clue about Sonic other than seeing the now-national TV ads.

[Pete]

That Sonic is a few blocks off the freeway... You'd have to know it's there.

I do triathlons out in Palm Springs and I always make my carpool-mates stop at Sonic and they've all loved it.

Believe it or not, there are absolutely zero drive-in's in L.A. Wish I could get a franchise!

[ljbab728]

That Sonic is a few blocks off the freeway... You'd have to know it's there.

I do triathlons out in Palm Springs and I always make my carpool-mates stop at Sonic and they've all loved it.

Believe it or not, there are absolutely zero drive-in's in L.A. Wish I could get a franchise!

I believe you Pete, I've been visiting relatives in L.A. regularly since the 50's so I'm very familiar with the area. It's kind of like how crazy the people here are about a possible In-N-Out Burger location. We all want something new and different.

[RadicalModerate]

If you are angling, I trust you are using the right bait . . .
(So why doesn't Sonic have an organic, fresh caught, fish sandwich like . . ....Arby's?)

(or, a Tuna Frenchie)

(Frankly . . . This is all beginning to read like a Virtual Running of the Bull[*] somewhere in Spain =)

[Always tip "the help" at Sonic]

For the California Market: Sonic Sushi. Non Fried. Here is a Fish and some sauce. Eat it.

[ljbab728]

If you are angling, I trust you are using the right bait . . .
(So why doesn't Sonic have an organic, fresh caught, fish sandwich like . . ....Arby's?)

(or, a Tuna Frenchie)

(Frankly . . . This is all beginning to read like a Virtual Running of the Bull[*] somewhere in Spain =)

[Always tip "the help" at Sonic]

Well, it has something to do with bull, alright.

[RadicalModerate]

Well, it has something to do with bull, alright.

Couldn't have said it better myself. thanks.
(yet i still like the ad campaign)
(almost makes me want to alter my eating plan)

[Bigrayok]

There was a dispute between California franchisees and the corporation a number of years ago. I do not know if the issue was resolved. I wonder if California regulations influence the reason there are not more Sonics in California. I knew a guy from Exeter in the central California area that thought Sonic was a great concept. He said there were not any in his area he knew of.

Bigray in Ok

[ljbab728]

A new test kitchen is coming to the downtown headquarters.

http://www.oklahoman.com/article/4746481?embargo=1

Sonic Corp. is building a new 3,429-square-foot test kitchen at its corporate headquarters in Bricktown designed to take the company’s menu to the next level as the company embarks on plans to grow the chain by 1,000 new locations over the next 10 years.

[jn1780]

A new test kitchen is coming to the downtown headquarters.

http://www.oklahoman.com/article/4746481?embargo=1

They need a new facility that trains employees how to get orders right.

[Just the facts]

If they are going to add 1,000 location in the next 10 years they are going to have to try something besides the drive-in model. They might have to follow the lead of Checkers, an east coast drive-thru concept, that has allowed franchises to drop the drive-thru portion of their operation as they enter urban markets (which is where their customer base is moving).

Checkers makes a rally for the Chicago market | Voices

If the black-and-white checked exterior of fast-food drive-thru Checkers has seemed absent from the Chicago dining landscape, wait no longer. Instead, get ready for a slimmed-down version.

Checkers Drive-In Restaurants opened its first new location in more than a year Thursday, at 4320 W. North Ave, the first of four Chicagoland locations slated to open this year. The chain — branded as either Checkers or Rally’s depending on the region — has more than 700 locations nationwide, but has been limited in its expansion efforts because of the double drive-thru design.

To break into denser markets like Chicago, the company decided to loosen constraints on corporate and franchise locations build-out options, says Jennifer Durham, Checkers vice president of franchise development. “We’ve really evolved the restaurant formats and the designs to incorporate whatever it is that’s needed in that particular trade area,” Durham says.

For a congested city like Chicago, that means allowing single-lane drive thrus, strip mall end caps and building conversions to better accommodate pedestrian and mass transit traffic.

Food industry research consultancy Technomic executive vice president Darren Tristano doesn’t think that ditching the double drive-through will hurt Checkers’ brand, which he called “relatively flat.” “This is going to help them expand the brand beyond more of the rural and suburban locations, into the more hip, urban places,” Tristano says.

The move also allows franchisees to forgo the high costs of building from the ground up. “Ultimately, at the end of the day for any franchise owner or for the company, it’s about making certain that you have a good return on investment. That’s where it all starts and ends,” Durham says.

[LakeEffect]

If they are going to add 1,000 location in the next 10 years they are going to have to try something besides the drive-in model. They might have to follow the lead of Checkers, an east coast drive-thru concept, that has allowed franchises to drop the drive-thru portion of their operation as they enter urban markets (which is where their customer base is moving).

Checkers makes a rally for the Chicago market | Voices

I believe a previous article about their growth desire stated as much - more sit-down stores, especially up north. It might be linked earlier in the thread...?

[Snowman]

If they are going to add 1,000 location in the next 10 years they are going to have to try something besides the drive-in model. They might have to follow the lead of Checkers, an east coast drive-thru concept, that has allowed franchises to drop the drive-thru portion of their operation as they enter urban markets (which is where their customer base is moving).

Checkers makes a rally for the Chicago market | Voices

Since they have done versions in malls and airports, they seem fine with dropping the drive through/car hop and having customers talk to clerks behind a counter

[Urbanized]

Which location are you frequenting? I wouldn't say that Sonic is my absolute favorite fast food purveyor, but the ones I visit ARE among the most consistently-correct order-fillers of just about any brand I can think of. The most inconsistent place I can think of is the Taco Bueno on NW 23rd, which I honestly estimate gets at least one thing wrong/omitted 9 of 10 visits.

[jn1780]

Which location are you frequenting? I wouldn't say that Sonic is my absolute favorite fast food purveyor, but the ones I visit ARE among the most consistently-correct order-fillers of just about any brand I can think of. The most inconsistent place I can think of is the Taco Bueno on NW 23rd, which I honestly estimate gets at least one thing wrong/omitted 9 of 10 visits.

122nd and Penn
Telephone road in Moore.

These two locations have messed my order up on more than one occasion.

[mkjeeves]

NW 21st and Council is my local one. Usually they do a pretty good job but they gave me someone's bacon and egg sammy in place of my burger the other day. The absolute rule I didn't follow, if you don't check it before you drive off, the order will be wrong. Every. Single. Time.

[catch22]

NW 21st and Council is my local one. Usually they do a pretty good job but they gave me someone's bacon and egg sammy in place of my burger the other day. The absolute rule I didn't follow, if you don't check it before you drive off, the order will be wrong. Every. Single. Time.

That's true.

I don't eat at Sonic, but I can go to the same restaurant 100 times and check the order before I leave. Out of 100 times, 100 times the order will be right. The 101st time, I forget to check the order and it will be wrong.

[ljbab728]

I eat at Sonic regularly and can't remember the last time I had an incorrect order. It's also the only fast food place that I frequent where they always read back my order to me when it's delivered.

[Plutonic Panda]

Maybe this should be in its own thread in politics, I'm not sure...

Sonic asks customers not to bring guns to Drive In patios, restaurants | News OK

[Bunty]

Maybe this should be in its own thread in politics, I'm not sure...

Sonic asks customers not to bring guns to Drive In patios, restaurants | News OK

I don't think the 2nd Amendment was meant to take the right away from property owners the right to tell visitors to not bring guns with them, especially if they are openly displayed.

[Plutonic Panda]

I don't think the 2nd Amendment was meant to take the right away from property owners the right to tell visitors to not bring guns with them, especially if they are openly displayed.

I agree. It is their decision.

[okclee]

14 things you didn't know about Sonic
Fun Facts You Didn't Know About Sonic, America's Drive-In - Thrillist

3. There's a seriously badass beach location in Florida
Sonic's Miami location is called Sonic Beach, and while it does have the classic drive-in, it also sits right on the sand. There's even an air-conditioned dining room offering beer and wine. We're not sure which Merlot pairs best with hot dogs, but this is the place to find out.

[dankrutka]

14 things you didn't know about Sonic
Fun Facts You Didn't Know About Sonic, America's Drive-In - Thrillist

3. There's a seriously badass beach location in Florida
Sonic's Miami location is called Sonic Beach, and while it does have the classic drive-in, it also sits right on the sand. There's even an air-conditioned dining room offering beer and wine. We're not sure which Merlot pairs best with hot dogs, but this is the place to find out.

Why couldn't they offer beer and wine at their Bricktown location?!? Actually make it something special, which their Bricktown location is not.

[Achilleslastand]

Fun Fact #15
Depending on the locale of each and every Sonic the quality could range from at best very average to downright horrible.

[Snowman]

Fun Fact #15
Depending on the locale of each and every Sonic the quality could range from at best very average to downright horrible.

Could stick that in the definition of chain restarant

Lol -

9. They're in almost every US state: Most people in the country can get their hands on some Sonic since there are locations in 44 of the 50 states. And now a moment of silence for Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Your day will come.