Taco Bell vs Sonic Drive In Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Taco Bell vs Sonic Drive In including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Taco Bell Franchise
Sonic Drive In Franchise
Investment $152,250 - $3,049,100$1,242,000 - $3,523,300
Franchise Fee $25,000 - $45,000$45,000
Royalty Fee 5.5%2.45-5%
Advertising Fee 4.25%3%
Year Founded 19621954
Year Franchised 19641959
Term Of Agreement 20 years20 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years20 years
Renewal Fee -10 years for $6K


Business Experience Requirements
 
Taco Bell Franchise
Sonic Drive In Franchise
Experience Multi-unit Operations Background

Restaurant, retail and/or gas convenience experience

Geographically Desirable

Open to locate in a strategic market and have local market knowledge

Experience/skills

Run a successfull business, with p/l responsibility, and development experience

Team Builder

Experience in staffing and retaining employees, demonstrated leadership skills

A culture fit with taco bell

Commitment to world class operations with strong recognition mindset

Financial Strength

Minimum of $750,000 liquid assets and $1,500,000 net worth


  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • If no industry experience, must have an operating equity partner
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Taco Bell Franchise
    Sonic Drive In Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/Yes
    Equipment No/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

    Training & Support
     
    Taco Bell Franchise
    Sonic Drive In Franchise
    Training Available at headquarters, Additional training availableOn-The-Job Training: 400 hours Classroom Training: 24 hours Additional Training: At existing franchise location
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluationsPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertising, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 25

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 60% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 25

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed.

    Expansion Plans
     
    Taco Bell Franchise
    Sonic Drive In Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Taco Bell

    After leaving the Marine Corps at 23, Glen Bell came home to San Bernardino, California and opened a hot dog stand. But his real interest was in alternative menu items, so he began selling tacos for 19 cents from a side window of the hot dog stand. When the tacos proved as popular as he had hoped, he started opening Taco Tia stands where tacos were the stars of the menu. In 1962, Bell sold the Taco Tia brand to his partners and opened the first Taco Bell in Downey, California. Franchising began two years later. Taco Bell is the country's driving Mexican-propelled snappy administration eatery (QSR) mark. We serve made-to-request and adaptable tacos and burritos, among other craveable decisions, and are the primary QSR eatery to offer American Vegetarian Association (AVA)- confirmed menu items. Taco Bell and our more than 350 establishment associations work over 6,500 eateries throughout the United States that gladly serve around 40 million clients consistently.

    Outside of our eateries, individuals can simply get to the Taco Bell mark through our Mobile Ordering and Payment App. In 2014, Taco Bell turned into the main QSR to dispatch a versatile application at eateries across the nation for both drive-through and feasting orders. Notwithstanding the portable application, individuals can arrange their most loved menu things by means of desktop on Ta.co or for conveyance through our association with DoorDash.

    While Taco Bell is fundamentally a U.S. mark, Yum! Brands managed to make it the Company's third worldwide brand. Outside the U.S., we have over 300 Taco Bell units in 24 nations, barring the Yum! China Division.

    The initial investment necessary to begin operation of a Taco Bell Express Unit ranges from $252,550 to $580,100 for a Custom Façade Unit, including $22,500 that must be paid to the licensor and $2,000 to $5,000 that must be paid to its affiliate for the first unit only.
    For a Power-Pumper or In-Line Unit, the total investment ranges from $345,950 to $701,100, including $22,500 that must be paid to the licensor and $3,500 to $5,000 that must be paid to its affiliate for the first unit only.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of an existing restaurant ranges from $152,250 to $1,766,250 or more, excluding real property, all of which must be paid to licensor or an affiliate.

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    #52 in Canada's Top franchises.

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    #99 on Franchise Rankings.com
    #2 in Franchise 500 for 2020
    #1 in Franchise 500 for 2021









    About Sonic Drive In

    Sonic Industries Inc. was founded in 1973. In 1974, Sonic acquired the name 'Sonic Drive-In' from Troy Smith, Sr., and began franchising. Smith used his more than 15 years of experience in the restaurant business to develop and operate the Sonic franchise program. A wholly owned subsidiary of Sonic Corp., the company is based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and has locations throughout the United States. The company's storefronts recently got a facelift to give them a 'retro-futuristic' look.

    Your estimated initial investment necessary to begin operation of a Traditional Sonic Drive-In franchise ranges from approximately $1,242,200 to $3,537,700 plus land costs and includes the $45,000 franchise fee that must be paid to Sonic.
    Your estimated initial investment necessary to begin operation of a Non-Traditional Sonic franchise ranges from approximately $361,900 to $978,700 and includes the $22,500 franchise fee that must be paid to Sonic.

    "franchiserankingscom"     "Entrepreneur
    #91 on Franchise Rankings.com
    #4 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #28 in Franchise 500 for 2021.