What States Have a Sonic Drive-in?
Sonic Drive-In restaurants are located in 43 states. The popular drive-through chain features all-American fare such as hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches and salads. The restaurant's unique feature is its old-fashioned "carhop" service, meaning the server comes to the car, usually on rollerskates, to take customers' orders and deliver them.
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History of Sonic Drive-In Restaurants
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The first prototype of the Sonic Drive-In restaurant opened in 1953 in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Founded by Troy Smith, the original name of the restaurant was "Top Hat Drive-In." The early restaurants featured curbside speakers so customers could place their food orders without leaving their cars. This led to the chain's first motto, "Sonic, service with the speed of sound." In 1959, the restaurant was renamed as "Sonic." The current motto is, "Sonic, America's Drive-In."
Unique Menu Items
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Sonic Drive-Ins not only feature carhop servers on rollerskates, but unique and trademarked menu items such as Toaster Sandwiches, sandwiches prepared on thick Texas toast, and numerous specialty beverage and dessert items, including Sonic Blast desserts, which combine ice cream and name-brand candies like Butterfinger and Snickers. Its trademarked Ultimate Drink Stop beverage menu includes slushes, juices, smoothies, teas, fruits, and flavorings that are customizable to create unique drinks in 168,000 possible combinations.
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The Largest Drive-In Restaurant Chain
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The Sonic Drive-In chain is the largest drive-in restaurant chain in the U.S., with more than 3,500 restaurants across the country as of April 2011. Sonic Drive-Ins are located in 43 states in the continental U.S., with plans for further expansion. The only states currently without Sonic Drive-In restaurants are Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island and North Dakota. The state with the most Sonic Drive-In locations is Texas, with 962 restaurants.
Sonic Drive-In Restaurant Fun Facts
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The Sonic Drive-In chain features a "Wacky Pack" children's meal, which kid's can get for free on their birthdays as members of the Birthday Club. For adult Sonic fans, the Sonic Cruisers Club provides a monthly newsletter and other perks. Sonic Cards, which can be used to pay for Sonic food and drink items, can be bought as gifts or for personal use. The chain's philanthropic program, "Limeades for Learning," partners with various charities to benefit teachers and students in Sonic communities.
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References
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