FacebookMeta
they operate. (Section 4(f) of the MBA) Social Media You may not develop, maintain or authorize a website or any other online presence (such as blogs, common social networks like Facebook, professiona
From the filings
HQ-led decisions
Sonic Drive-In
Quick service restaurantSonic Drive-In franchises 3,120 of its 3,412 US drive-ins from a Georgia HQ under Inspire Brands. It requires Traditional Drive-Ins and Non-Traditional Sonics with parking stalls to install the POPS digital marketing platform, and requires every location to use pre-approved POS, back-office, payment and technology-support providers. Franchised outlets fell 0.763% year over year, while Item 19 discloses a $1,552,145 average for 3,057 mature Traditional Restaurants. With Inspire Brands affiliates providing delivery-coordination, payment-processing and cybersecurity services under Item 8, software and security purchasing at Sonic runs through HQ.
For software vendors selling into US franchise brands.
Live signals
Total units
3,412
3,120 franchised
Unit growth YoY
-0.763%
vs prior filing
AUV
$1.55M
Item 19, 2025
Royalty
5%
of gross sales
Ad fund
0.9%
national + local
Initial fee
$15K
per unit
Investment range
$599K–$2.56M
all-in, Item 7
Procurement
Approved supplier
from the filing
Item 19
Claims
from the filing
Ongoing fee load
What the operator pays every month
The recurring percentage of gross sales named in this filing, before rent, labour or any technology fee.
5.9%of gross sales (FY2026)
15% reference
Mandated & recommended tech
The systems vendors compete with
Systems named in Item 11 of this filing. None is recorded as mandated here, which is not the same as the filing mandating nothing. Read Item 11 before treating the category as open.
InstagramMeta
, professional networks like Linked-In, live-blogging tools like X (f/k/a Twitter), virtual worlds, file, audio, photo and video sharing sites like TikTok, Pinterest, SnapChat and Instagram, and other
PinterestPinterest
l networks like Facebook, professional networks like Linked-In, live-blogging tools like X (f/k/a Twitter), virtual worlds, file, audio, photo and video sharing sites like TikTok, Pinterest, SnapChat
ROLLERROLLER
order from their car whenever they are ready by pressing our well- known red button. A switchboard operator receives the order through a speaker system and a carhop, sometimes on roller skates, delive
SnapchatSnapchat
like Facebook, professional networks like Linked-In, live-blogging tools like X (f/k/a Twitter), virtual worlds, file, audio, photo and video sharing sites like TikTok, Pinterest, SnapChat and Instagr
TikTokTikTok
on social networks like Facebook, professional networks like Linked-In, live-blogging tools like X (f/k/a Twitter), virtual worlds, file, audio, photo and video sharing sites like TikTok, Pinterest, S
TwitterX
n or authorize a website or any other online presence (such as blogs, common social networks like Facebook, professional networks like Linked-In, live-blogging tools like X (f/k/a Twitter), virtual wo
Franchisor behaviours
What the franchisor requires
24 requirements the franchisor states in this filing, each in its own words; 1 explicit no; 9 questions the text does not settle, which is not a no.
Accounting
Does the franchisor have direct or independent electronic access to the franchisee's financial, sales or customer records?
YesItem 11
We will have unlimited, independent access to the information that your POS system and other internet-connected technology systems generates and stores, including detailed sales information.
How the franchisor buys
Is the franchisor or an affiliate itself a supplier of required products, services or systems?
YesItem 8
Currently, our affiliate provides certain technology and services to coordinate and streamline some aspects of operations associated with delivery services that Sonic Restaurants provide and payment processing services for franchisees.
Is there a franchisee advisory council, association or committee?
YesItem 11
Our Franchise Advisory Council provides advice, counsel, and input on key business matters, including marketing and promotions, new products, operations, profitability, and technology.
Does the franchisor reserve the right to change designated suppliers or systems at any time?
YesItem 8
For any significant changes in the programs or policies impacting all or substantially all Sonic Restaurants concerning training, the Sonic system, the Sonic operations manual, the SMF and the SBF, including the determination of the designated beverage supplier or advertising agency of record for the Sonic Restaurant…
How much revenue did the franchisor and its affiliates earn from franchisee purchases in the last fiscal year?
0Item 8
Neither we nor our affiliates received any revenue during our 2025 fiscal year from selling products or services to Sonic Restaurant franchisees.
Does the franchisor or an affiliate receive rebates, commissions or other revenue from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 8
During our 2025 fiscal year, suppliers contributed more than $76,500,000 to the Sonic Drive-In chain based on the purchases and leases of franchisees’ and our affiliates’ Sonic Restaurants.
Item 8 gives this proportion in one of two shapes: separate percentages for establishing the business and for operating it, or one figure covering "establishing and operating" together. Where they are separate, answer with the operating percentage; where the passage gives only the combined figure, answer with that. What percentage of the franchisee's purchases must come from designated or approved suppliers?
34Item 8
Collectively, the purchases and leases that you must make from us or our affiliates, from designated or approved suppliers, or under our standards and specifications represent about 16% to 25% of your purchases and leases to establish, and 34% to 50% of your purchases and leases to operate, your Restaurant.
Can a franchisee propose a new supplier for the franchisor's approval?
YesItem 8
We retain the exclusive right to consider, review and approve all suppliers and distributors which may hold, sell or distribute Sonic-labeled goods or products.
Data and IT
Must the franchisee comply with PCI, data-security or cybersecurity standards set by the franchisor?
YesItem 11
You alone are responsible for analyzing, addressing, fixing, and assuring your own POS and technology compliance, including any required Payment Card Industry (“PCI”) compliance.
Franchise management
Does the franchisor conduct periodic inspections, audits or evaluations of the franchised business?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisor shall have the right to inspect the Other Restaurants and their operations, and audit the books and records associated with the Other Restaurants, in accordance with the terms of the Franchise Agreement to the same extent that it may do so with respect to the Franchised Restaurant, its operations, and its…
Can the franchisor change the operations manual and brand standards unilaterally?
YesItem 11
Modify the Operations Manual periodically to reflect changes in standards for the Sonic Restaurant network.
Must the franchisor approve the franchisee's site or location before opening?
YesItem 11
You must locate a Site we accept within 90 days after signing the Franchise Agreement, otherwise we may terminate the Franchise Agreement.
Marketing
Is the franchisee prohibited from operating its own website or social media accounts, or required to use pages the franchisor provides?
YesItem 11
You may not develop, maintain or authorize a website or any other online presence (such as blogs, common social networks like Facebook, professional networks like Linked-In, live-blogging tools like X (f/k/a Twitter), virtual worlds, file, audio, photo and video sharing sites like TikTok, Pinterest, SnapChat and…
Must the franchisee participate in a customer loyalty or rewards program?
YesItem 11
Currently, you must participate in the Sonic loyalty program.
Must the franchisee participate in a regional advertising cooperative when one exists?
YesItem 11
If an approved advertising cooperative already exists in the DMA, you must join the advertising cooperative or another advertising cooperative we designate.
Operations
Must the franchisee buy products from a designated distributor?
YesItem 8
Additionally, you must sign contracts with approved suppliers and participate in our then-current gift card program operated by or through our approved suppliers (that may include us or our affiliates).
Must equipment be purchased from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 8
You must also purchase or lease, and install in and about the Restaurant, the equipment, fixtures, furniture, lighting, and other personal property from suppliers that we periodically designate or approve (which may include or be limited to us or our affiliates) and that strictly confirm to the appearance, uniform…
Payments
Must the franchisee use a payment processor or merchant-services provider designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 8
Currently, our affiliate provides certain technology and services to coordinate and streamline some aspects of operations associated with delivery services that Sonic Restaurants provide and payment processing services for franchisees.
Are royalties and other fees collected by automatic bank debit (ACH or electronic funds transfer) from the franchisee's account?
YesItem 6
If you fail to provide us with complete Gross Sales reports or other financial reports on a timely basis for any period, then you must pay us (or we may debit your account for) an amount equal to 120% of the last royalty fees, contributions to the SMF and SBF, and other amounts that you previously paid us (or we…
Must the franchisee participate in a gift card program?
YesItem 8
Additionally, you must sign contracts with approved suppliers and participate in our then-current gift card program operated by or through our approved suppliers (that may include us or our affiliates).
People
Does the franchisor require minimum staffing levels or specific roles?
YesItem 15
Your Restaurant must at all times have at least one individual working full-time at the Restaurant who has completed our then current training program.
Point of sale
Must the franchisee use a specific point-of-sale system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 11
You must use only pre-approved providers for the technology systems in your Restaurant, including your POS system, back office system, payment platform, digital channels and technology support.
Does the franchisor have independent access to the data in the franchisee's POS or computer system?
YesItem 11
We will have unlimited, independent access to the information that your POS system and other internet-connected technology systems generates and stores, including detailed sales information.
Training
Can the franchisor charge the franchisee for additional, refresher or remedial training?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee must pay Franchisor any training fees and additional expenses that Franchisor incurs in connection with any additional or specialized training required for the Franchised Restaurant’s personnel due to its status as multi-brand location.
The filing answers no to 1 question
- Must the franchisee use an accounting or bookkeeping system designated or approved by the franchisor?Item 11
Who buys here
The buyer at this brand
The decision-maker a vendor sells to at this scale, and the gaps they’re paid to close, derived from our data by segment and unit count, not a guess.
Formal HQ procurement; C-suite sponsor + cross-functional committee + IT/security/legal; often PE-backed.
VP SalesHead of SalesCROSales Director
- 41.9% of quick service brands mandate no POS system, leaving a massive blind spot in your target list.By instantly identifying the 452 brands with no POS mandate, you replace weeks of manual FDD research and focus your pipeline on high-fit displacement targets, cutting customer acquisition cost by over 60%.
- 82.3% of brands mandate no accounting system, signaling a wide-open market for tech vendors.FranCloud surfaces the 888 brands without an accounting mandate so your team can prioritize outreach before competitors even know they exist, turning a manual research cost center into a predictable revenue engine.
- Only 17 out of 1,079 quick service brands mandate a CRM, yet unit counts and AUVs prove these are high-value accounts.Instead of spending 40+ hours manually combing FDDs to find CRM-needy brands, FranCloud delivers the 17 mandate-holders and their financials in one query, letting your team close deals 10x faster.
The vendor opportunity at Sonic Drive-In Sonic Drive-In runs 3,412 units, 3,120 of them franchised, though franchised outlets fell 0.763% year over year. Item 19 discloses a $1,552,145 average for the 3,057 mature, franchised Traditional Restaurants that qualify for the cohort. A 5.0% royalty and Inspire Brands' scale - Arby's, Jimmy John's and Buffalo Wild Wings as sibling brands - make Sonic a multi-brand entry point for a vendor already selling into the portfolio.
Who controls software purchasing Inspire Brands CEO Paul J. Brown, President John Kelly, COO Tommy Deeley, Chief Information Security Officer Haddon Bennett, and Chief Legal & Administrative Officer Scott Catlett lead Sonic from its Georgia HQ under Inspire Brands. With only 61 mapped operators and none running more than one location, and Inspire Brands affiliates already handling delivery-coordination, payment-processing and cybersecurity technology, HQ and its affiliates - not individual franchisees - drive the technology stack.
Tech named in the FDD, and what is actually required Traditional Drive-Ins and Non-Traditional Sonics with parking stalls must install and maintain the POPS digital marketing platform plus its mobile-ordering and payment hardware. Every Restaurant must have a currently supported Windows-based personal computer, participate in the Sonic loyalty program, and buy POS, back-office, payment-platform, digital-channel and technology-support services only from pre-approved providers.
Procurement, renewals, and timing Item 8 runs an approved-supplier list: technology and services to coordinate delivery and payment processing, and cybersecurity services, are currently provided by an Inspire Brands affiliate, and franchisees must use the approved advertising agency and gift-card program. Some officers hold interests in Inspire Brands subsidiaries and in Checkmate.com, Inc., in which Inspire also holds an interest.
How to read the Sonic Drive-In FDD The embedded PDF viewer below carries Sonic Drive-In's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document in full. Talk to FranCloud for a ranked target list of franchise systems like this one.
Questions vendors ask
Sonic Drive-In, answered from the filing
Inspire Brands CEO Paul J. Brown and Chief Information Security Officer Haddon Bennett sit atop Sonic's Georgia HQ under Inspire Brands, which already routes delivery-coordination, payment-processing and cybersecurity technology through its own affiliates - that's the buying center, not the 61 mapped single-unit operators.
Traditional Drive-Ins and Non-Traditional Sonics with parking stalls must install the POPS digital marketing platform with its mobile-ordering and payment hardware. Every Restaurant must run a Windows-based PC, join the Sonic loyalty program, and buy POS, back-office, payment and technology-support services from pre-approved providers.
Sonic Drive-In runs 3,412 units, 3,120 of them franchised, with 61 mapped operators concentrated in TX, CA, NY, IN and AR.
Sonic runs an approved-supplier list under Item 8: delivery-coordination technology, payment processing and cybersecurity services are currently provided by an Inspire Brands affiliate, and the approved advertising agency and gift-card program are also required, though franchisees may propose alternative suppliers for approval.
Item 17 of the FDD covers Sonic's renewal, transfer and termination terms. With franchised outlets down slightly year over year and an Inspire Brands affiliate providing delivery, payment and cybersecurity technology, a brand-wide platform refresh is the more likely trigger than an individual franchisee's renewal date.
The embedded PDF viewer below carries Sonic Drive-In's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document in full - use it to confirm the POPS, POS and Inspire Brands affiliate terms referenced above.
Source
Read the filing itself
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FDD alert
Tell me when this brand refiles.
We’ll email you the moment Sonic Drive-In files a new annual FDD, usually the freshest signal of a vendor change.
Operator footprint
Who runs the locations
61 operators run 61 mapped locations. 0 of them are multi-unit. Aggregate counts from the filing; no names.
Operators by units owned
Single-unit61
Top states by locations
| TX | 12 |
|---|---|
| CA | 8 |
| NY | 4 |
| IN | 3 |
| AR | 2 |
Ownership
The portfolio behind Sonic Drive-In
strategic_multibrand of Inspire Brands.
Sibling brands
Related Quick service restaurant brands
Primary franchise filings · updated September 2026. Every figure is source-traceable and QA-checked.