Farmer Boys vs Sonic Drive In Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Farmer Boys Franchise
Sonic Drive In Franchise
Investment $1,042,500 - $2,486,500$1,242,000 - $3,523,300
Franchise Fee $45,000$45,000
Royalty Fee 5%2.45-5%
Advertising Fee 3%3%
Year Founded 19811954
Year Franchised 19971959
Term Of Agreement 20 years20 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years20 years
Renewal Fee -10 years for $6K


Business Experience Requirements
 
Farmer Boys Franchise
Sonic Drive In Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • If no industry experience, must have an operating equity partner
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Farmer Boys Franchise
    Sonic Drive In Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

    Training & Support
     
    Farmer Boys Franchise
    Sonic Drive In Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 480 hours Classroom Training: 60 hours On-The-Job Training: 400 hours Classroom Training: 24 hours Additional Training: At existing franchise location
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform 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 Regional Advertising Social media SEO Loyalty program/app Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations 20% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 30

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 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
     
    Farmer Boys Franchise
    Sonic Drive In Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    Company Overviews

    About Farmer Boys

    During the 1970s, brothers Makis and Chris Havadjias worked in restaurants to earn money for college. They helped the owners of one of those restaurants rebuild the establishment, and later bought it. With the experience they gained at that first restaurant, the brothers bought a poorly performing restaurant in Perris, California, that they built into Farmer Boys. With the help of their three other brothers, the Havadjias expanded Farmer Boys throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties in Southern California. Each location serves hamburgers, sandwiches, salads and a full breakfast menu. The company began franchising in 1998.

    #128 in Franchise 500 for 2021. Not ranked in 2020.

    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.