SONIC Achieves Expansion Milestone with Drive-In in Alaska

You can add the fast-food chain Sonic to the list of companies looking north to Alaska. Sonic announced it is interviewing potential franchise owners for its plan to open 10 stores in the state within the next seven years. The company would not say when it plans to open its first Alaska location.

Sonic Drive-In, which is famous for its roller-skating servers, tater tots, slushies and drive-up dining, will be adding a twist to its usual store configuration -- indoor dining, a concession to Alaska's winters. The company said its Alaska locations would still offer drive-up dining as well.

Sonic said it wants to have restaurants in every U.S. state and decided Alaska was next on its list. The company already has 3,500 drive-ins throughout the U.S.

Sonic representatives are in Anchorage to talk to people who want to buy a franchise and said the company is planning to split the state up among several franchisees.