Sonic Drive In vs Dream Maker Hot Dog Carts Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Sonic Drive In Franchise
Dream Maker Hot Dog Carts Franchise
Investment $1,242,000 - $3,523,300$2,899 - $15,999
Franchise Fee $45,000N/A
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
Dream Maker Hot Dog Carts Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • If no industry experience, must have an operating equity partner
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Sonic Drive In Franchise
    Dream Maker Hot Dog Carts 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
    Dream Maker Hot Dog Carts 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
    Dream Maker Hot Dog Carts 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 Dream Maker Hot Dog Carts

    Dream Maker Hot Dog Carts has become one of the largest, best-known and by far the most respected manufacturer and provider of hot dog carts both nationally and internationally. We know what works, and we will help make it happen for you. By purchasing directly from us, the manufacturer, we can offer you substantial discounts for an individual hot dog cart or for an entire fleet of mobile food vending carts (long word for hotdog cart). And, we don't just manufacture and sell "average" hot dog carts. Our vending carts are designed and built to very strict quality control standards. We have been in the business for over 20 years, and we know exactly what you need to succeed! We stand behind every product you see here on our website, or at our showroom in Florida. You will definitely appreciate our incredible attention to detail and quality. We work hard and strive to be #1!