Sonic Drive In vs Fuddruckers Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Sonic Drive In Franchise
Fuddruckers Franchise
Investment $1,242,000 - $3,523,300$495,000 - $1,565,000
Franchise Fee $45,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 2.45-5%5%
Advertising Fee 3%.25%
Year Founded 19541980
Year Franchised 19591983
Term Of Agreement 20 years20 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years20 years
Renewal Fee 10 years for $6K$25K


Business Experience Requirements
 
Sonic Drive In Franchise
Fuddruckers Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • If no industry experience, must have an operating equity partner

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Sonic Drive In Franchise
    Fuddruckers Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/No
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/YesNo/No
    Payroll No/YesNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Sonic Drive In Franchise
    Fuddruckers Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 400 hours Classroom Training: 24 hours Additional Training: At existing franchise location 6-week training program
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Franchisee Intranet Platform Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Email marketing Loyalty program/app Regional advertising
    Operations 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.

    		 53% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 40

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (99% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Sonic Drive In Franchise
    Fuddruckers Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    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.




    About Fuddruckers

    The first Fuddruckers opened in San Antonio, Texas in 1980 with a classic American nostalgia theme. Fuddruckers operates and franchises more than 200 restaurants in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada and the Middle East. The emphasis today is the same as it was in 1980 - we use only the freshest ingredients. Our restaurants serve only the freshest beef and feature on-premise bakeries where bread and dessert items are baked fresh daily. It's truly a "build-your-own meal" experience.