P.O. Box 2393
Dunlap, TN 37327
(423) 949-6265
www.sonicdrivein.com
Sonic Corporation, founded as Sonic Drive-In and more commonly known as Sonic (stylized in all caps), is an American drive-in fast-food chain owned by Inspire Brands, the parent company of Arby's, Jimmy John's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Baskin-Robbins, and Dunkin'.[1] Sonic, founded by Troy N. Smith Sr., opened its first location in 1953, under the name Top Hat Drive-In.
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 Pickles-Os, which are fried pickle slices.[6]
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, a relationship that persists to this day.[7][8]
P.O. Box 2393
Dunlap, TN 37327
(423) 949-6265
www.sonicdrivein.com
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