Sonic Drive In vs Lick's Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Sonic Drive In Franchise
Lick's Franchise
Investment $1,242,000 - $3,523,300$495,000 - $595,000
Franchise Fee $45,000$45,000
Royalty Fee 2.45-5%-
Advertising Fee 3%-
Year Founded 1954-
Year Franchised 1959-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Renewal Fee 10 years for $6K-


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

    Financing Options
     
    Sonic Drive In Franchise
    Lick's 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
    Lick's Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 400 hours Classroom Training: 24 hours Additional Training: At existing franchise location -
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Franchisee Intranet Platform -
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Email marketing Loyalty program/app -
    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
    Lick's Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoYes
    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 Lick's

    Opportunities exist for highly motivated, energetic individuals with excellent people skills and the ability to communicate enthusiasm, who share our passion for success and commitment to quality. Get the Lick's Advantage! Lick's offers a "turnkey operation", planning, design, & construction, training, hiring, training of staff, pre-opening assistance, on going support and guidance, operating manuals, recipes and menus, accounting services, purchasing, advertising and promotion. Lick's will assist you with site selection and lease negotiations, and will provide all the necessary planning, design and construction of your store. Lick's provides an extensive, mandatory training program complete with comprehensive manuals for all potential franchisees. Before you open, you will be provided advice and assistance in the hiring and training of required staff and a trained Lick's representative will spend a minimum of four weeks with you at your store to assist in the set up and opening operations. Following this, Licks will provide any and all necessary supervision, consultation and assistance as determined by the Lick's Inspection and support program. You will automatically become a part of the centrally controlled Lick's supply system for food, beverages, paper and other supplies. Lick's also administers a central advertising and promotion fund for highly efficient, cost effective marketing programs and in-store promotions. Lick's is now aggressively developing franchise locations in Ontario and Master Franchise opportunities outside the Ontario Region.