Sonic Corp celebrates the centennial with an annual meeting in OKC
Annual meeting draws thousands as Sonic comes back to beginning
by JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
BY THE NUMBERS
Sonic Corp.
•Total restaurants: About 3,300
•Percentage franchised: 80
•Restaurants in Oklahoma: 260
The fast food concept that brought America tator tots, ocean blue slushes and the extra-long chili cheese coney drew thousands to its hometown this week. Sonic Corp. is holding its annual convention at the Cox Convention Center, within walking distance from Bricktown in downtown Oklahoma City. The week-long convention, which included a carhop competition Tuesday, is fittingly themed "Homecoming.”
"We knew that with the centennial it would be the perfect opportunity to bring everybody home, really to where Sonic began. Now that we've grown to 34 states and more than 3,300 drive-ins we thought it was really important for everyone to reflect back as we plan for our future,” said Christi Woodworth, Sonic's director of external communications.
This is the first time Sonic has held a large-scale convention in its hometown. It's the company's biggest convention with more than 3,500 franchisees, operators, vendors and Sonic staffers attending. "Attendance in Oklahoma is the highest we've ever had, including Las Vegas,” Sonic Chairman and Chief Executive Cliff Hudson said. "We're excited to be in Oklahoma City.” And the convention's three-day stay in the city leaves a big economic thumbprint. The Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates the group will spend $4.8 million on food and beverages, lodging, local transportation and convention materials.
"In terms of a pure convention, this is one of the larger conventions that we have had this year,” said Mike Carrier, president of the Oklahoma City CVB. "They're the main attraction this week.” Hudson also likes that Sonic got an opportunity to show off Oklahoma City and all the rebuilding going on downtown. "Without all the hotels down here, we couldn't have done this even five years ago. So it really reflects well on the city,” he said.
Meetings were held Monday and Tuesday for corporate-owned drive-ins, about 20 percent of the company's drive-ins, but the big show happened Wednesday during a pep rally and awards ceremony for the Sonic's franchisees.
"I've been a franchisee with two other brands, but Sonic is by far the best brand in the world. With Rock-n-Roll and carhops, what could be better?” said Joe Zacher, a Colorado franchisee who received the Chain Leader award for his passion and leadership. Oklahoma native Barry Williams, a new franchisee consultant at Sonic Industries in Florida, received the lifetime achievement award. Operator Jason Espinoza received the Turnaround Award for his success in improving sales at his Monitcello, Ark., drive-in. "Every dream I had as a child comes to fruition at the Sonic Drive-In,” Espinoza said.
Franchisees will attend break-out sessions the remainder of the week. Also on the itinerary, are keynote speeches from Don Shula and Ken Blanchard, who co-wrote the book "Everyone's a Coach.” Also, Vince Gill will sing in a private concert during the convention. Earlier in the week, 12 Sonic Drive-Ins from across the country competed in the Dr Pepper Sonic Games, an Olympic-style tournament. The games are an employee incentive program that measures speed, order accuracy, service, food quality and cleanliness. Winners will be announced at the close of the convention Friday. "It's kind of ending our convention on the highest note. These are the best 12 drive-ins in the country,” spokeswoman Woodworth said. "It is huge. This whole place will be crazy. It's really exciting.”
Troy Smith opened the first Sonic as a hamburger and root beer stand in 1953 in Shawnee.
Bookmarks