Sonic Drive In vs Burger 21 Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Sonic Drive In vs Burger 21 including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Sonic Drive In Franchise
Burger 21 Franchise
Investment $1,242,000 - $3,523,300$448,247 - $1,175,164
Franchise Fee $45,000$27,000 - $40,000
Royalty Fee 2.45-5%5%
Advertising Fee 3%1% -3%
Year Founded 19542010
Year Franchised 19592011
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Renewal Fee 10 years for $6K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Sonic Drive In Franchise
Burger 21 Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • If no industry experience, must have an operating equity partner
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Sonic Drive In Franchise
    Burger 21 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
    Burger 21 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

    *An online asset management tool offered to provide franchisees with access to system-wide marketing materials and the ability to customize these materials *Corporate and onsite training programs that are designed to help implement a standardized operating system *A Franchise Business Consultant (FBC) who is assigned to each franchisee to assist with business start-up and growth *Assistance from the FBC with financial analysis, operations evaluations, strategic planning and brainstorming of new ideas

    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
    Burger 21 Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    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 Burger 21

    Burger 21 is a new, innovative fast casual restaurant franchise concept that is changing consumers' expectations of the "better burger" category. With its chef-inspired creations, unique concept design and exceptional dining experience, Burger 21 is positioned for enormous growth.