Guide Note

Sonic Drive-In is a 1950s-style fast food chain. Originally called "Top Hat Drive-In," the name was changed in part to reflect the restaurant's slogan: "Service With the Speed of Sound."

Fast Facts

1. Stock symbol: SONC (NASDAQ)
2. Annual revenue (2007): $770.5 million
3. Founder: Troy Smith
4. Year established:1953
5. Industry: Restaurant
6. Phone: (405) 225-5000
7. Fax: (405) 280-7696
8. HQ: Oklahoma City, OK
9. President: W. Scott McLain
10. Chairman/CEO: Cliff Hudson
11. Staff: 19,357 (2007)
12. 3290 locations

1. 1954: Founder Smith sets up an intercom system at his root beer stand and employs "Carhops" to deliver food to customers in their cars
2. 1956: Second location opens; restaurant still called "Top Hat Drive-In"
3. 1958: Name changed to Sonic
4. 1967: Smith's business partner, Charlie Pappe, dies of a heart attack
5. 1973: Sonic is owned by franchisees
6. 1977: First Sonic TV ads
7. 1984: Cliff Hudson becomes CEO
8. 1991: Sonic goes public
9. Mid-1990s: Consistent menus introduced to all restaurants
10. 2005: 3,000th restaurant opens