Sonic Drive-InFranchise Cost & FDD Overview

Food & Beverage — Drive-In Burger Restaurant franchise. Founded in 1953. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK.

Investment

$1.7M - $3.1M

Franchise Fee

$15K

Royalty

5%

+ 3.25% marketing

Total Units

3,461

Oklahoma City, OK Founded 1953Food & Beverage · Drive-In Burger Restaurant

23 notable changes in the 2025 FDD

Fees, unit trends, and item-by-item text changes from 2024 to 2025 are available in the full comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Sonic Drive-In franchise cost?+
The estimated initial investment for a Sonic Drive-In franchise ranges from $1.7M - $3.1M. This includes the franchise fee, build-out, equipment, and initial working capital as disclosed in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
What is the Sonic Drive-In franchise fee?+
The initial franchise fee for Sonic Drive-In is $15K. This is a one-time payment to the franchisor for the right to operate under the brand.
What are Sonic Drive-In's ongoing fees?+
Sonic Drive-In franchisees pay a 5% royalty fee on gross sales and a 3.25% marketing/advertising fee. These are ongoing fees paid regularly to the franchisor.
How many Sonic Drive-In franchise locations are there?+
As of the latest FDD filing, Sonic Drive-In has 3,461 total locations across the United States. This figure includes both franchised and company-owned units.
Where can I find Sonic Drive-In's full FDD?+
FDDs are available directly from the franchisor or through FDD filing services. FranchiseDiff shows extracted comparison data from publicly available FDDs — we do not distribute the documents themselves.

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This information is extracted from publicly available Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs). FranchiseDiff does not provide legal, financial, or investment advice. Data may contain errors from automated extraction. Always review the official FDD and consult with a qualified franchise attorney before making any investment decision. All trademarks, logos, and brand names belong to their respective owners.