Sonic Drive In vs Mr. Goodburger's Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Sonic Drive In Franchise
Mr. Goodburger's Franchise
Investment $1,242,000 - $3,523,300$155,000 - $210,000
Franchise Fee $45,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 2.45-5%6-8%
Advertising Fee 3%-
Year Founded 19542001
Year Franchised 19592003
Term Of Agreement 20 years5 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years5 years
Renewal Fee 10 years for $6K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Sonic Drive In Franchise
Mr. Goodburger's Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • If no industry experience, must have an operating equity partner

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • (industry and general business experience are recommended)

  • Financing Options

     
    Sonic Drive In Franchise
    Mr. Goodburger's Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/No
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/YesNo/No
    Payroll No/YesNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Sonic Drive In Franchise
    Mr. Goodburger's Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 400 hours Classroom Training: 24 hours Additional Training: At existing franchise location Internet refresher courses
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Franchisee Intranet Platform Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Email marketing Loyalty program/app Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    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
    Mr. Goodburger's Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    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 Mr. Goodburger's

    The business built on creating healthy, animal-free fast food went belly up. See Wink's Cheeseburger Factory.