Sonic Drive In vs Philly Connection Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Sonic Drive In Franchise
Philly Connection Franchise
Investment $1,242,000 - $3,523,300$154,000 - $261,500
Franchise Fee $45,000$20,000
Royalty Fee 2.45-5%6%
Advertising Fee 3%-
Year Founded 19541980
Year Franchised 19591987
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Renewal Fee 10 years for $6K$5000


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

    Financing Options
     
    Sonic Drive In Franchise
    Philly Connection 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/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/YesNo/No
    Payroll No/YesNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Sonic Drive In Franchise
    Philly Connection 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 -
    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
    Philly Connection Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    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 Philly Connection

    Advantages of Philly Connection:
    1. Quality ingredients.
    2. Focus on hot food, but we also offer cold hoagies. Hot food sells in the evening/dinner time. The cold sandwich sells more at lunch.
    3. Unique steak product.
    4. Philly Connection offers french fries, onion rings, and chicken tenders.
    5. Philly Connection grills orders in front of the customer.
    6. Franchisee receives cooking equipment with its investment. When product offerings change, the franchisee already has this equipment.