Sonic Plans 200 Stores In '05

OKLAHOMA CITY-Sonic Drive-In continues its growth and plans to open more than 200 restaurants this year, the most in the company’s history. In its most recent quarter, the locally based firm opened 34 new units, 30 of them franchises and the rest company-owned, bringing Sonic’s total to about 2,900 in 29 states, most of them in the South and the Midwest.

During the quarter, the first of its fiscal year, the company posted an 8.1% year-over-year same-store sales jump. That first quarter performance is an improvement over a 0.4% increase Sonic posted last year. Company officials did warn that same-store sales later in the year will face tougher comparisons, though, because of a stronger performances later last year.

Executives attributed some of the chain’s financial success to new products such as the Double Patty Melts, Frito Chili Cheese Wraps, and Philly Cheesesteak Toaster.