Sonic Drive In vs UFood Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Sonic Drive In Franchise
UFood Franchise
Investment $1,242,000 - $3,523,300$415,500 - $598,500
Franchise Fee $45,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 2.45-5%5%
Advertising Fee 3%2%
Year Founded 19540
Year Franchised 19592014
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Renewal Fee 10 years for $6K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Sonic Drive In Franchise
UFood Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • If no industry experience, must have an operating equity partner
    		• · Minimum liquid assets: $200,000 · Minimum net worth: $350,000

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

    Training & Support
     
    Sonic Drive In Franchise
    UFood Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 400 hours Classroom Training: 24 hours Additional Training: At existing franchise location UFood Grill offers all of our franchisees a comprehensive 5-week training program at the UFood Grill University. This program includes a mix of classroom, test kitchen, and live, hands-on store training for 3 people in your organization, one of whom must be your store manager. Our field training team will assist in the opening of each store.
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Franchisee Intranet Platform Ongoing support
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Email marketing Loyalty program/app UFood Grill offers its franchisees a number of turnkey opening and ongoing marketing programs that will bring customers in the door. In addition, UFood Grill provides materials and promotions that are available through our graphics standards manual and marketing promotions manual available online as well as in hard copy. UFood Grill also has a state-of-the-art loyalty program for franchisees to understand customer behavior and create tailored marketing programs. UFood Grill will also help franchisees track purchasing and analyze customer shopping data.
    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.

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    Sonic Drive In Franchise
    UFood Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion No-

    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 UFood

    With a sleek inviting design and setting, that serves fresh and delicious food fast, UFood Grill is meeting the current and increasing demand from its customers. With all menu items that are fresh, baked and never fried, as well as under 700 calories, UFood Grill is leading the rapidly growing fast casual segment of franchising. UFood Grill offers a customizable menu with Better-For-U food that can meet all dietary needs/restrictions.
    At UFood Grill, we are with you every step of the way:

    · Site selection

    · Submittal of LOI/Lease draft

    · Store design

    · Construction

    · Training

    · Grand Opening Support

    · Ongoing operational support

    · Ongoing marketing support