Sonic Franchise: Cost, Fees & Earnings
3,412 locations (2025), -1.4% YoY(Item 20)
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Median Revenue (AUV)
$1,465,090
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 19
Initial Investment
$670,200 – $2,522,900
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7
Franchise Fee
$1,250
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 5
Royalty
5%
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 6
About Sonic
Sonic is a drive-in restaurant franchise featuring made-to-order food and beverages including cheeseburgers, hot dogs, chicken options, hand-made sides, and specialty drinks like cherry limeades and SONIC Blast treats. The iconic concept allows customers to order from their cars via a red button, with carhops delivering food directly to vehicles, though modern locations also offer drive-thru and dine-in options.
Gross Sales by Performance TierSource: 2026 FDD Item 19
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Additional Item 19 Analysis
Deeper Item 19 Analysis (Charts 3–6)
Openings & Closings, Transfer Rates, Franchise vs Corporate Mix
Sonic vs Competitors
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Sonic Franchise FAQ
How much does a Sonic franchise cost?
Per Item 7 of the 2026 FDD Franchise Disclosure Document, the estimated initial investment ranges from $670,200 to $2,522,900.
What is the Sonic franchise fee?
The FDD reports an initial franchise fee of $1,250 to $45,000.
What royalty does Sonic charge?
The FDD reports an ongoing royalty of 5%.
How much revenue does a Sonic franchise generate?
The 2026 FDD reports a median revenue per unit of $1,465,090 for fiscal year 2025. Individual results vary.
Can I finance a Sonic franchise with an SBA loan?
Many franchise purchases are financed with SBA 7(a) loans covering a large share of the total project cost. You can check what you'd qualify for with Franchable's free SBA prequalification.
Data sourced from the brand's Franchise Disclosure Document. Franchable is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sonic. This is not an offer to sell a franchise. Individual results vary.