Sonic Drive In vs The Burger Joint Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Sonic Drive In Franchise
The Burger Joint Franchise
Investment $1,242,000 - $3,523,300$195,800 - $589,800
Franchise Fee $45,000$40,000
Royalty Fee 2.45-5%5.5%
Advertising Fee 3%1%Nat'l + 1%Local
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
The Burger Joint Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • If no industry experience, must have an operating equity partner
    		• Restaurant experience is preferred, but we will consider prospects who posses strong leadership and management skills and have a history of successfully operating in a service oriented business.

    Financing Options
     
    Sonic Drive In Franchise
    The Burger Joint 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
    The Burger Joint Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 400 hours Classroom Training: 24 hours Additional Training: At existing franchise location You (and any key operations management) will be required to attend and successfully complete our Initial Training program. The Initial Training program may last up to seventeen (17) days, and must be completed prior to your opening each Restaurant. A BGR representative will be on site just prior to your opening, and immediately following your opening, to help support you during this important phase.
    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 BGR trademark and logo specifications, which are continually modified and expanded based on the impact of each specific marketing and promotional campaign we implement in our local markets.
    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.

    		BGR has developed a POS for the operation of the Restaurants and management reporting purposes. The BGR POS interfaces with ADP for time clock purposes and payroll processing. Provided your accounting software can empower you to efficiently and effectively produce financial statements (which will be per our Chart of Accounts), BGR will accept most brand name accounting software systems.

    Expansion Plans
     
    Sonic Drive In Franchise
    The Burger Joint 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.

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    #4 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #28 in Franchise 500 for 2021.




    About The Burger Joint

    The Ultimate Burger Experience Meets The Ultimate Fast Casual OpportunityBGR The Burger Joint is a critically acclaimed restaurant that serves award-winning food... We are passionate about good food and good times, and equally passionate about helping our franchise owners reach their personal and professional goals. Our franchise opportunity can provide you with a quality restaurant business lifestyle as part of our growing system. Are you driven, passionate, and motivated? Do you have strong business management and customer service skills? If you think BGR The Burger Joint is a good fit for you, as you look to take your career - and your life - to the next level, then we’d love to talk to you. For experienced entrepreneurs that qualify, we offer single and multiple unit franchise packages. Take the next step! For more information on the BGR The Burger Joint franchise program contact us at 888-830-0801