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