Group: Next Steps Page

Your territory will be assigned and finalized, and you’ll sign an area development agreement, which is typically a 14- to 21-day turnaround. We offer a full suite of services to franchisees to assist you every step of the way. You will also be introduced to the business and operations training programs, service team recruitment, training and development, marketing and PR support, and other opportunities to help you reach your sales goals. Average build-out takes 90 days, depending on the part of the county in which you are opening.

Congratulations, you’re officially part of the SONIC franchisee family! We have strategic steps in place to ensure that the opening of your SONIC goes as smoothly as possible. From the time you sign on to the time you open your restaurant is a one-year to 18-month process.

If you have made it this far and you qualify, we will invite you to Franchise Discovery Meeting at our headquarters in Oklahoma City, not far from the original SONIC Drive-In location in Shawnee. We are a relationship brand, so we want to ensure that we start that relationship on your first day. You will meet members of our company stakeholders and key decision makers at the SONIC brand, including representatives from development, technology, marketing, real estate and construction and operations. Most franchisees are approved 24 hours after attending Franchise Discovery Meeting.

Final business approval steps are taken, including finishing the credit approval process. You will be asked to put together a business plan.

Following these initial steps, an in-person meeting is scheduled with the franchise recruitment team to further discuss the opportunity in your territory and requirements needed to open a SONIC restaurant.

If it’s determined that you are a good potential fit for the SONIC franchisee family, you will receive a copy of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). This document contains all the necessary information about your future SONIC restaurant so you can make a more informed decision.

A member of our Franchise Sales and Development Marketing team will call you to discuss your intentions, as well as your financial qualifications.