In 1953, the prototype of the first SONIC Drive-In opened in Shawnee, Okla. Back then, SONIC revolutionized the ordering process by using curbside speakers that allowed customers to place food orders without ever leaving their cars. This technology spawned the slogan “Service at the Speed of Sound,” which translated to one word: SONIC. Troy Smith Sr., an American businessman who founded Sonic Drive-In, aptly changed the name from Top Hat to SONIC Drive-In in 1959.

Sonic's menu consists of hamburgers and French fries, as well as onion rings, corn dogs, chili dogs, tater tots, and breakfast toaster sandwiches. Drink options include soft drinks, slushes, and milkshakes. Customers can combine various drinks and flavors to create thousands of possible drink combinations. Ice cream desserts include sundaes and floats.

At a standard Sonic Drive-In, a customer drives into a covered drive-in stall, orders through an intercom speaker system, and has the food delivered by a carhop. Most drive-ins also have patio seating, and many have drive-through lanes.

In 2020, Sonic unveiled a new drive-in design with an updated, wider layout for car docks and the drive-thru lane, a new kitchen layout built for efficiency, and an aesthetic makeover. Also in 2020, all of the restaurants indefinitely suspended patio dining due to COVID-19 but continued to serve takeaway & pickup customers.

As of 2022, 3,550 Sonic restaurants are located in 46 U.S. states.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org