News

Sonic signs agreement for six new units in Upstate New York

February 6, 2014

Sonic Drive-In has signed a franchise development agreement for six new drive-ins in Syracuse and Watertown, N.Y., in the next four years.

According to a company news release, these new commitments are an expansion of an agreement reached in 2013 for five new drive-ins in the Rochester, N.Y., market by a franchise group led by local restaurateur Fran DeSimone.

"The Northern states are ripe with expansion opportunities for Sonic given the brand's relatively small footprint in the area combined with high customer awareness and pent-up demand — a result of our popular and effective national advertising," said Bob Franke, senior vice president of franchise sales and international development for Sonic. "In addition, we recently introduced an indoor dining prototype that is ideally suited for drive-ins in colder climates."

The new prototype includes the brand's signature drive-in stalls, as well as a drive-thru and indoor dining room.

DeSimone's experience includes leadership roles with the Panera Bread, Burger King and Taco Bell brands. DeSimone's group is partnering with local investor David Taylor for this new agreement.

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