I love Sonic!
However, I do not live in the south, and the closest sonic is in Ohio, it appears. Any recommendations on anything like Sonic in the northeast? I live in Boston, and I’m willing to drive!
I have a friend whose sister is a Sonic franchisee. I asked about whether Sonic will expand to the Northeast, and she said “forget it.” Sonic is supposedly saying “no” to franchisees who are interested in the Northeast. Why? Perceptions of the weather. Sonic is in other cold-weather states, but they’re in places with mild or short winters, with temperate springs and falls. They also don’t want franchisees that are too far from Oklahoma City.
When you look at a map on the Sonic Web site, the Northeast is not considered a “core market” or “developing market” by Sonic. It looks like they’re also not going to expand to the upper Midwest (North/South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan), Montana or Washington.
Checkers seems to do alright around these parts (New York/North NJ Metro area) even with crappy winters and all.
They certainly have no indoor seating - everything is to go.
I freaking miss Sonic too.
Maybe so, but Checkers isn’t set up the same way Sonic is. At least here, Checkers has one drive through on each side of the building and some picnic tables outside that few people ever use.
Sonic has one drive through (some Sonics don’t even have that) and at least a couple dozen parking places, each with a menu and speaker. The carhop has to walk (or at some locations, roller skate) out to your car to bring you the food.
Sonic hops are now back on skates. Yoohoo.
Just for curiosity, why? While I eat out a lot, big chain fast food is never on my menu, so what elevates Sonic above other fast food?
Ah yes, one of Oklahoma’s better quality exports.
Here’s my short list of why Sonic rules:
1.) Made to order burgers that are god damned tasty
2.) “Chili makes it better month”
3.) Prices that are pretty comparable with, say, McDonalds
4.) Best onion rings you can get from any national franchise
5.) Outstanding, fast and friendly service
The nostalgia factor of the classic 1950’s carhop service doesn’t really hurt either. In the end, it’s a pretty simple formula: good food + reasonable prices + good service = profit.
Slight hijack…I was just thinking of this yesterday at the Sonic a block from my house :). Is it expected to tip the hops? I always have, but as I get to be a tightwad in my advancing years, I wonder if I have been tossing money down the drain - I do not know if they keep the tips, or if it’s tossed into a ‘charity’ jar or what…
critter42
One other reason Sonic is better than other fast foods: Tater Tots!
I usually just let them “keep the change”, or toss in an extra quarter or two. Maybe I am short changing them, but 50 cents or so an order probably adds up.
I mainly like them for their drinks. McDonalds or Wendy’s drinks usually go flat pretty quickly, while a Sonic cup seems to stay fresh for 3 hours! And there you can get cherry, vanilla, and other add-on flavors in a coke.
To be honest, I don’t like their burgers, though the onion rings are far better than any other FF chain’s.
>>Checkers seems to do alright around these parts (New York/North NJ Metro area) even with crappy winters and all.
They certainly have no indoor seating - everything is to go.<<
Checkers SUCKS - I know that is IMHO, but I am a burger expert 
Trust me, winter here in Iowa is neither short nor mild. We have Sonics now on every corner it seems, and I love their Chicken Toaster sandwich.
We must be close enough to OKC or something. All of ours have drive ups as well.
Wow, Sonic’s from Oklahoma? Well now I can name at least one good thing to come out of that state. 
Agreed : their onion rings rule.
I like Sonic. I think it’s one of those things where you don’t appreciate something until it’s taken away from you. I grew up in the Midwest and we had Sonics one every corner, practically. Then, I moved to VA and we had one in the immediate area. They decided to tear it down and build an Outback Steakhouse in it’s place. Now, the nearest Sonic is in Newport News, which is about 80 minutes away. Every now and then, a group of us will make a road trip to Sonic. Their cherry lime-aid alone is worth the trip. I also like their grilled cheese, although there’s nothing really special about it, other than the fact that they use texas toast.
I have a question for Sonic:
Why must you advertise such damn good-looking burgers on National television, when you don’t even seem to be located in the Most populous of all the states?
Sonic is great, in addition to the above reasons, for its cheap desserts. You can get good ice cream and shakes for decent prices…being a college student makes this awesome…and it’s just fun. I’m pretty cynical in general of marketing practices, but sonic has a good system going.
BTW, Sonic carhops make the WAITRESSING minimum wage…at least in Tennessee, they get paid something like $3 an hour! So tip your carhop well!
We seldom eat fast food but now and then we have to have a Sonic Burger and Onion Rings … best Onion Rings I know of! 
A co-worker’s daughters works there…I think for Federal minimum wage, tips are much appreciated.
Onion rings do rule, for a fast food change…but the best onion rings belong to the Varsity in Atlanta GA but that is for IMHO. The Varsity should be a must see for any fast food junkie in Atlanta. I-75 and North Avenue just East of Ga Tech campus