Sonic Franchise: Cost, Fees & Earnings
3,412 locations (2025), -1.4% YoY(Item 20)
A Sonic franchise requires an estimated total investment of $670,200 to $2,522,900, including a $1,250 initial franchise fee (2026 FDD, Item 7). Franchisees pay an ongoing royalty of 5% (Item 6). The 2026 FDD reports a median unit revenue of $1,465,090 for FY2025 (Item 19).
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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
Sonic Franchise Key Facts
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment | $670,200 – $2,522,900Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7 | |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $1,250 – $45,000Source: 2026 FDD, Item 5 | |
| Royalty | 5%Source: 2026 FDD, Item 6 | |
| Median Revenue (AUV) | $1,465,090Source: 2026 FDD, Item 19 | |
| Total Locations | 3,412 (2025)Source: Item 20 |
Sonic Franchise Fees
Initial franchise fee(Item 5)
$1,250 – $45,000
Ongoing royalty(Item 6)
5%
National ad / brand fund(Item 6)
0.9% exact
Local marketing spend(Item 6)
3.25%
Technology fee(Item 6)
$5,580/mo
Buildout / construction(Item 7)
$600,000 – $800,000
Additional Item 5–6 fees (transfer, renewal, area development, and any veteran discounts) are not yet parsed on Franchable — see the brand's FDD for the full fee schedule.
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.
What Sonic's FDD Discloses
Sonic's average unit revenue of $1,587,024 sat above its median of $1,465,090 (2026 FDD, Item 19) — the gap that a simple average hides. Individual results vary.
In 2025, Sonic's franchised system recorded 32 franchised openings, 56 closures (Item 20).
Gross Sales by Performance TierSource: 2026 FDD Item 19
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Explore all brands →AUV Trend — Multi-Year Median Revenue
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.
How much does a Sonic franchise owner make?
Sonic disclosed median unit revenue of $1,465,090 in FY2025 (Item 19). It does not disclose unit-level profit, so a reliable owner-income figure can't be drawn from its FDD. 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.