OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

SONIC® Drive-In (NASDAQ: SONC) today announced five new agreements for franchise development in greater Washington, D.C., New York City, the Ohio River Valley, Alabama, Virginia and Washington. A mainstay in the South and Central Plains, SONIC continues to expand in all areas of the country to meet ever-growing consumer demand.

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SONIC® Drive-In today announced five new agreements for franchise development in greater Washington, D.C., New York City, the Ohio River Valley, Alabama, Virginia and Washington. (Photo: Business Wire)

Together, the new franchise groups bring more than 50 years of experience operating QSR and fast-casual restaurant brands combined with other retail and financial backgrounds to provide a solid foundation for future success with SONIC:

• Men of Grace, LLC will develop new drive-ins in the greater Washington, D.C. market including locations in Northern Virginia;
• Current franchisee Northfork Holdings acquired 21 existing drive-ins in the Ohio River Valley, Tennessee and Missouri, with an additional 21 drive-ins planned over the next decade;
• SD-Missouri acquired drive-ins in Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia, and plans to build an additional 20 drive-ins in markets in which they currently operate;
• Eng LLC has signed an agreement to develop drive-ins in the five New York City boroughs over the next several years;
• Olympic Cascade LLC will build 11 drive-ins in the state of Washington over the next 10 years.

“SONIC’s franchisee relationships are unparalleled in the QSR industry, making the brand an attractive option for multi-unit franchisees seeking to build out their portfolio,” said Drew Ritger, Jr., senior vice president for development for SONIC. “With nearly 94 percent of the system franchise owned, a 64-year history and our unique menu, SONIC is a great choice for entrepreneurs interested in building their business with an established, franchise-centric brand that enjoys high consumer demand and room for growth.”

Always a drive-in at heart, SONIC works with franchisees to find a building solution to match their needs and the needs of their guests. SONIC offers franchisees flexibility with multiple drive-in formats, including: the traditional drive-in model with 14 to 29 dining stalls and a drive-thru; conversions, renovating existing restaurant buildings to create unique drive-ins; the counter service model, offering customizable footprints to fit a variety of indoor spaces including travel plazas; and indoor dining formats that allow guests to experience SONIC in multiple ways – either in their cars, at the drive-thru or seated at a table inside.

Individuals interested in pursuing a SONIC franchise are encouraged to visit sonicfranchises.com for more information on qualifications and brand support. Multi-unit opportunities are available in a number of markets including Atlanta, Ga., Indianapolis, Ind., and Philadelphia.

About SONIC, America’s Drive-In

SONIC, America's Drive-In is the nation's largest drive-in restaurant chain serving approximately 3 million customers every day. Nearly 94 percent of SONIC's 3,500 drive-in locations are owned and operated by local business men and women. For 64 years, SONIC has delighted guests with signature menu items, 1.3 million drink combinations and friendly service by iconic Carhops. Since the 2009 launch of SONIC's Limeades for Learning campaign in partnership with DonorsChoose.org, SONIC has donated nearly $8.5 million to public school teachers’ classrooms nationwide to fund essential learning materials and innovative teaching resources to inspire creativity and learning in their students. To learn more about Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ/NM: SONC), please visit sonicdrivein.com and please visit or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. To learn more about SONIC's Limeades for Learning initiative, please visit Limeadesforlearning.com.

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