Sonic Drive-In Franchise News

Taxpayers cash in on half-price drinks and slushes at SONIC, America's Drive-In
OKLAHOMA CITY, April 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Taxpayers can take their first deductions of the year on April 17 – Tax Day – with refreshing, half-price drinks from SONIC, America's Drive-In. Participating drive-in locations nationwide will celebrate by extending Happy Hour all day, with fountain drinks and slushes at half price.
"People work hard to get their taxes filed, and SONIC's Happy Hour All Day on Tax Day is a great way to reward our hard-working customers at the conclusion of tax season," said James O'Reilly, chief marketing officer for SONIC Drive-In. "With 398,929 unique drink combinations, we delight in providing delicious, personalized drinks our customers love...

Sales Strengthen in Second Fiscal Quarter
OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ: SONC), the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants, is presenting this week at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2012 Consumer Conference. A link to the webcast can be found at the investor section of the company's website, www.sonicdrivein.com, and the event will be available for replay through March 20, 2012, using that same link.
Sonic's estimated system-wide same-store sales for the second fiscal quarter, which ended February 29, 2012, increased 3.4%. Same-store sales reflected an estimated increase of 3.5% at franchise drive-ins and 3.1% at company drive-ins.
Second Quarter Release and Conference Call
Sonic expects to report its second fiscal quarter results after the market close on March 21, 2012...

OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ: SONC), the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants, today announced that it will release results for the quarter ended February 29, 2012 after the market close on March 21, 2012. The company will host a conference call to review financial results on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at 5:00 PM ET.
The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing (877) 397-0250 or (719) 457-2664 for international callers. A replay will be available one hour after the call and can be accessed by dialing (877) 870-5176 or (858) 384-5517 for international callers; the conference ID is 1205487. The replay will be available until Thursday, March 28, 2012. An online replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the live broadcast...

OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ: SONC), the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants, today announced that the company will present at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2012 Consumer and Retail Conference on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at the New York Palace Hotel in New York, NY. The presentation will begin at 4:00 PM ET.
Investors and interested parties can access this presentation by visiting the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.sonicdrivein.com/.
About Sonic
Sonic, America's Drive-In, originally started as a hamburger and root beer stand in 1953 in Shawnee, Oklahoma called Top Hat Drive-In, and then changed its name to Sonic in 1959. The first drive-in to adopt the Sonic name is still serving customers in Stillwater, Oklahoma...

Jumbo Popcorn Chicken evening deal and new Justice League Wacky Pack Toys round out a fun spring menu at SONIC.
OKLAHOMA CITY, Feb. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sweet potatoes are making a grand entrance on the SONIC menu. SONIC is expanding its unique Tots offering by introducing new Sweet Potato Tots to its menu for a limited time. According to data from the USDA Economic Research Service*, sweet potato U.S. per capita consumption has been on the rise, even as white potato consumption has slowed. As a result, it looks like the unsung spud is finally getting its due and feeling the love beyond the Thanksgiving dinner table.
"Everyone is talking about sweet potatoes as a trend but few are putting unique offerings on their menus," said Clas Petersson, vice president of product & packaging...

OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ: SONC), the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants, today announced the appointment of James O'Reilly as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. O'Reilly brings more than 20 years of senior level leadership in consumer driven marketing, brand management and product development, including extensive experience within the quick service restaurant segment. He most recently served as the Chief Concept Officer of Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: BAGL).
"We are very excited to add James to the Sonic Team," said Cliff Hudson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "He brings an impressive track record of innovative marketing, brand positioning and product development...

OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ: SONC), the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants, today announced results for its first fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2011. Key highlights of the company's first quarter report included:

The company's net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 was $0.09 per diluted share compared with net income per diluted share of $0.12 in the first quarter of fiscal 2011; excluding a tax benefit of $0.02 per diluted share from a favorable tax settlement, net income per diluted share was $0.10 in the first quarter of fiscal 2011;
System-wide same-store sales increased 0.1% during the first quarter, with an increase of 0.2% at franchise drive-ins and a 0.1% decrease at company drive-ins; and
The company repaid $3...

OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ/NM: SONC), the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants, today announced that the company will present at the 14th Annual ICR XChange Conference on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami, FL. The presentation will begin at 10:40 AM ET.
Investors and interested parties can access this presentation by visiting the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.sonicdrivein.com/.
About Sonic
Sonic, America's Drive-In, originally started as a hamburger and root beer stand in 1953 in Shawnee, Oklahoma called Top Hat Drive-In, and then changed its name to Sonic in 1959. The first drive-in to adopt the Sonic name is still serving customers in Stillwater, Oklahoma...

OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ: SONC), the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants, today announced that it will release results for the quarter ended November 30, 2011 after the market close on January 4, 2012. The company will host a conference call to review financial results on Wednesday, January 4, 2012, at 5:00 PM ET.
The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing (877) 874-1569 or (719) 325-4838 for international callers. A replay will be available one hour after the call and can be accessed by dialing (877) 870-5176 or (858) 384-5517 for international callers; the conference ID is 2604676. The replay will be available until Wednesday, January 11, 2012. An online replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the live broadcast...

November 21, 2011 // Franchising.com // Tigard and Hillsboro, Oregon  - SONIC Drive-In franchise owners, Jess and Andrea Wetsel, continued their commitment to renewable energy production with the announcement today of two additional solar powered, canopy-mounted systems at their Tigard and Hillsboro restaurants. These installations follow the first SONIC solar electric system installed in the Pacific Northwest at the Wetsel’s Wilsonville franchise earlier this year.
The decision to go solar at these locations was natural for these quick-serve operators. “We were anxious to invest in alternative energy again,” says Jess Wetsel, President of The Wetsel Company/SONIC Drive-In. “As restaurant owners, the systems help us differentiate our locations and they make our restaurants more appealing to our current customers” he adds...

Voting reaches all-time high as SONIC® Drive-In Donates More Than $700,000 to Public Schools
OKLAHOMA CITY, Nov. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Give Limeades for Learning voters an A+ for awesomeness. They voted in record numbers for their favorite teachers' projects throughout the fall as part of SONIC Drive-In's annual national cause initiative, resulting in 1,471 projects funded and $714,230 donated to help inspire creativity and learning in the classroom.
This year's Limeades for Learning campaign, SONIC's third in partnership with DonorsChoose.org, placed a lofty goal in front of participants: 1.5 million votes via LimeadesforLearning.com from August 29 through the campaign's end on September 30. If reached, the achievement would trigger an additional $100,000 to fund teachers' projects – and SONIC Drive-Ins would reward every voter with a free medium Cherry Limeade...

New items are a delicious combination of two worlds, burgers and melts, at an unbeatable price
OKLAHOMA CITY, Nov. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As temperatures continue to tumble down, SONIC®, America's Drive-In®, is keeping things toasty with the addition of two new TOASTER MELT™ Sandwiches to its menu during November and December.
The new offerings are available for a limited time in two tasty varieties: the Bacon Cheddar TOASTER MELT™ and the Mushroom Swiss TOASTER MELT™. The new products provide the best of both worlds—the munch-worthy satisfaction of a burger in the form of a sandwich.
"These new Toaster Melt sandwiches pack an unbelievable 1-2 punch of flavor and value," said Danielle Vona, chief marketing officer for SONIC...

OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ/NM: SONC), the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants, today announced that its Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program for up to $30 million worth of common stock through August 31, 2012. Share repurchases may be made from time-to-time in the open market or in negotiated transactions depending on share price, market conditions and other factors."Our franchise business model is strong, and with our long-term financing plans in place we expect to generate approximately $35 million to $40 million in free cash flow1 in fiscal 2012. We believe a share repurchase program represents a solid investment and a good means for deploying our excess cash," said Clifford Hudson, Sonic's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer...

Provides Outlook for Fiscal 2012
OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ: SONC), the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants, today announced that fiscal year 2011 same-store sales increased 1.8% for company drive-ins and 0.5% for the system. This improvement represents a significant reversal in trends from the decrease of 7.8% for the system in fiscal year 2010.
Sonic's fourth quarter same-store sales increased approximately 0.4% for company drive-ins and declined an estimated 0.5% for the system. While the slight decrease in system-wide sales for the quarter was below the company's original outlook of positive low single digits, same-store sales have been positive since mid-August, reflecting adjustments in the company's promotional strategy...

Limeades for Learning® campaign engages public to inspire learning and creativity, and support public schools OKLAHOMA CITY, Aug. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With the annual passage of children back to classrooms underway, SONIC Drive-In is renewing its commitment to education with the official launch of the 2011 Limeades for Learning campaign.

Today marks the third year of the nationwide cause initiative that gives consumers the power to direct more than half a million dollars in grants to public school teachers and their students. Partnering with DonorsChoose.org, SONIC has donated more than $1.3 million to funding teachers' projects since the debut of the campaign two years ago in 2009.

"We couldn't be more excited for the start of another school year and another opportunity to support local classrooms through Limeades for Learning," said Danielle Vona, chief marketing officer for Sonic Corp...

OKLAHOMA CITY, Aug. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- SONIC®, America's Drive-In®, is adding three new additions to its team of breakfast burritos. Each of the new burritos – The Ultimate Meat & Cheese™ Breakfast Burrito, The Fiesta Steak Breakfast Burrito and The Steak & Egg Breakfast Burrito – offers guests a delicious, on-the-go breakfast option just in time for the back-to-school rush.

And the burrito bliss doesn't stop in the morning. The entire SONIC menu is available all day – and the burritos are no exception.

"With a distinctly SONIC topspin on flavor, these new menu items fit right in on SONIC's breakfast burrito team," said Danielle Vona, chief marketing officer for SONIC...

OKLAHOMA CITY, July 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- It's summer, it's hot and SONIC®, America's Drive-In®, is celebrating with flavorful new menu items in July and August. Just in time for National Hot Dog and Ice Cream Month, SONIC is offering for a limited time the Baja Dog and a line of Sundae Shakes.

SONIC's new Sundae Shakes are available in three 100% sippable flavor adventures – Turtle, Strawberry Dream and Classic Hot Fudge. The treats are all served in SONIC's new metallic-looking cup, specially designed to resemble the classic metallic cups from vintage soda fountains and ice cream parlors.

Since launching in March, SONIC's new line of Premium Beef Hot Dogs has quickly become a customer favorite...

OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ: SONC), the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants, today announced that the company will participate in the Oppenheimer 11th Annual Consumer Conference, which takes place in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 28 and 29, 2011.

The investor presentation by Sonic's management is scheduled to begin at 10:40 a.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, June 28, 2011, and will be available to investors via a live audio webcast. A link to the webcast can be found at the investor section of the company's website, www.sonicdrivein.com, and the event will be available for replay using that same link for 30 days.

Sonic, America's Drive-In, originally started as a hamburger and root beer stand in 1953 in Shawnee, Okla...

OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ:SONC), the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants, today announced that it plans to report third quarter results at the market close on June 22, 2011. The company will provide an online web simulcast of its earnings release conference call that afternoon beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET. During that call, management will comment on Sonic's financial and operational results for the third quarter of fiscal 2011. An online replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the live broadcast and will continue through July 22, 2011. A link to these events will be available at the investor section of the company's website, www.sonicdrivein.com. About Sonic Sonic, America's Drive-In, originally started as a hamburger and root beer stand in 1953 in Shawnee, Okla...

OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ: SONC), the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants, today announced that certain of its subsidiaries have issued $500 million of Series 2011-1 Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2 (the "Fixed Rate Notes") in a private securitization transaction. The Fixed Rate Notes will have an expected life of seven years and bear interest at 5.438% per annum, payable monthly.

The same Sonic subsidiaries also entered into a securitized revolving credit facility of $100 million of Series 2011-1 Variable Funding Senior Secured Notes, Class A-1 (the "Variable Funding Notes"). The revolving credit facility allows for the issuance of up to $100 million of Variable Funding Notes. Interest on the Variable Funding Notes will be payable per annum at rates equal to the Commercial Paper rate plus 3...