Sonic Continues Solid Store, Sales Growth

OKLAHOMA CITY-Sonic’s sales and store base continue to expand, as the chain has continued success with new menu items and marketing initiatives, management says. Same-stores sales rose 4% year over year during the company’s third quarter and Sonic opened 48 new stores, five more than the same period last year.

For the year Sonic executives predict that the company will open between 180 and 190 new restaurants during the fiscal year, with about 150 to 160 operated by franchisees. Between 65 and 75 of those new locations will open their doors during the fourth quarter.

Sonic is also renovating its existing store base. So far this fiscal year, Sonic has retrofitted about 120 corporate drive-ins, and franchisees have done 81. For the year it is targeting 150 corporate renovations and 250 to 300 by franchisees. All 3,200 units are planned for completion in the next three to four years.