Sonic Drive-In
🏢National Chain
Sonic Drive-In was founded in 1953 by Troy Smith in Shawnee, Oklahoma, originally operating as a walk-up root beer stand called Top Hat Drive-In before adopting the Sonic name in 1959. The chain pioneered the use of intercom-based car ordering and carhop service, and was acquired by Inspire Brands in 2018; today it operates over 3,400 locations across the United States.
