Sonic Corporation

[cagoklahoma]

That depends on what you consider to be their competition. Freddies also has terrible service, and the food isn’t any better. Steak and Shake is a little better than Freddies. Sonic, well my wife thought I was crazy when she said she wanted a banana spilt and I pulled into a Sonic. Also, something else to consider is the Braum’s makes almost/if not all of their products in house. You won’t see a Ben E. Keith distribution truck outside a Braum’s. They have no middle man, so their margins are higher. They have the infrastructure in place the others do not, which is a real competitive advantage. I’m not saying Freddies, S&S, or Sonic are not good establishments, but their products are not superior to something you would find at Braum’s. They all employ ticked off teenagers, who move at a snail’s pace and want to be there, so service is going to be a wash. Will they be around for the next 100 years? Probably not, but not because of their commercials, or color schemes. *I do not currently, nor have I ever worked at Braum’s*

[tomokc]

I won't go to Braum's for anything except ice cream/milk shakes, and only from the drive through. The stores are dirty, the employees indifferent (and underpaid), and I can find superior products anywhere else at comparable prices. Except for the ice cream & milk shakes. But I won't go out of my way for them, and I won't go inside.

From a pure profit standpoint I wonder if Braum's wouldn't be better off closing the stores and either selling the ice cream in grocery stores, or licensing them through another channel. Closing the stores eliminates all of the management, HR, overhead, capital requirements and ancillary things required of a huge business operating in hundreds of retail locations. And for what ROI? They probably swap dollars on the retail side (they certainly do on groceries), competition is fierce, and their only category killer is ice cream.

[Mel]

Their orange juice is pretty killer with vodka.

[mugofbeer]

Monkey Wards was Sears without Kenmore and Craftsman

[MWCGuy]

Montgomery Ward died because GE Capital bought them out and they were absolutely clueless when it came to the world of retail. They turned around and shut them down just wash their hands of the mess they created. It would be like Chase buying out Best Buy. Chase is in the banking business not the retail electronics business. Had GE just let the company operate, I honestly think they would still be around today. There is a market for department stores that are in between discount retail and mall department store. Montgomery Ward filled that void and did it well. If you don't believe me just look at Kohl's. JCPenney would be doing well had they not abandoned there old business model and left so many customers out in the cold in the name of being hip and trendy.

[shawnw]

Wards also preceded Sears.

[Dubya61]

Another interesting thing that makes Braums an easier thing to make profit with: beef -- their own cattle.
I'll bet they don't buy a single cow!

[Jersey Boss]

I think JCP was losing their keister before they changed their business model and that was what prompted the change. I don't know what they need to do to survive, if they even can. Sears as well looks to be on the escalator to irrelevance.

[sgt. pepper]

I thought this thread was about Sonic, boy was I wrong. And my two cents...I love everything about Braums!

[hoya]

Braums makes a pretty good hamburger and has good ice cream. Their service is terrible and a lot of their stores look dingy. If a better store came along I would shop there instead. Braums is everywhere in Oklahoma but I don't think they've spread out too far beyond that.

The thing about family owned companies is that at some point, the person in the family with the business sense dies off.

[HangryHippo]

Braums makes a pretty good hamburger and has good ice cream. Their service is terrible and a lot of their stores look dingy. If a better store came along I would shop there instead. Braums is everywhere in Oklahoma but I don't think they've spread out too far beyond that.

The thing about family owned companies is that at some point, the person in the family with the business sense dies off.

A lot of their stores look rundown right after opening. I don't know what it is, but they're always unkempt. And the quality of their burgers has gone downhill significantly lately. I still love their ice cream but I go a lot less than I used to.

[OKVision4U]

A lot of their stores look rundown right after opening. I don't know what it is, but they're always unkempt. And the quality of their burgers has gone downhill significantly lately. I still love their ice cream but I go a lot less than I used to.

This is a tragic reality that businesses "don't want to ever hear". The consumers that like your products, but don't enter the doors. From what I am seeing (as others on this topic have stated the same thing) most frequent consumers of Braums are now staying away. ...poor quality / customer service issues / un-clean....certainly not what you want in this business of food.

Pete, could we have this thread moved to it own ? thank you.

[traxx]

This is a tragic reality that businesses "don't want to ever hear". The consumers that like your products, but don't enter the doors. From what I am seeing (as others on this topic have stated the same thing) most frequent consumers of Braums are now staying away. ...poor quality / customer service issues / un-clean....certainly not what you want in this business of food.

Pete, could we have this thread moved to it own ? thank you.

And the sad thing is, these are fixable problems.

Back when I was married, the wife took the kids to the Braum's facility in Tuttle for a tour. A lady on the tour asked, "This place is spotless but your stores are consistantly dirty. Why is that?" The person leading the tour said that wasn't the first time they've heard that. Why not fix it then? Could the guys that here that complaint at the plant not run it up the chain to the boys at corporate?

[traxx]

I buy all my milk at Braum's because I know what I'm getting and where it came from. I eat their food from time to time and their shakes and malts can't be beat. And maybe you're right about the old commercials. It comes off as cheap but I could live with it if they would just run their stores more effeciently. Clean stores and short wait times would do wonders. That's everyone's biggest complaint about Braum's. Other similar fast food places can do it with minimum wage employees. Braum's could too if they just put their mind to it. It's not a matter not hiring the right store employees. It's a matter of effeciency. They need an effeciency expert to look at the stores, implement changes at one store and then they can use that as a template.

[OKVision4U]

This is another sad point, the C-level management at Braums are 100% aware of their poor customer service rating. It would cost money for them to make "enhancements" and they are ok with today's results.

Braum's has this example to make a difference: Loves vs. QT ... Loves shares the same "ugly store" issues, but is doing well at the bank. QT is hands-down a better managed corporation ( from the top , to the bottom). and the results are evident... Look at their employees when you walk into their store... Highly trained & motivated. They are buying-into what QT is trying to accomplish.

Bruam's and Loves share the same excuse, they say the "low skilled workforce" is the reason for their POOR performance, but QT is showing you how that is not true.

[jn1780]

This is another sad point, the C-level management at Braums are 100% aware of their poor customer service rating. It would cost money for them to make "enhancements" and they are ok with today's results.

Braum's has this example to make a difference: Loves vs. QT ... Loves shares the same "ugly store" issues, but is doing well at the bank. QT is hands-down a better managed corporation ( from the top , to the bottom). and the results are evident... Look at their employees when you walk into their store... Highly trained & motivated. They are buying-into what QT is trying to accomplish.

Bruam's and Loves share the same excuse, they say the "low skilled workforce" is the reason for their POOR performance, but QT is showing you how that is not true.

Sorry, you lost me at QT vs Loves. Their not even in the same sector of the industry. Loves does have a few car stops, but this is a very small segment of their target market. They do have better stores compared to Pilot who is thier main competitor.

How many stores does QT have out in the middle of nowhere where their is less employees to choose from?

[OKVision4U]

Sorry, you lost me at QT vs Loves. Their not even in the same sector of the industry. Loves does have a few car stops, but this is a very small segment of their target market. They do have better stores compared to Pilot who is thier main competitor.

How many stores does QT have out in the middle of nowhere where their is less employees to choose from?

I gave you a great example of Local Corporations in the same industry, serving the same customer base. But yet, 2 completely different results. Loves ( unclean / cheap / low customer service ) vs. QT ( clean / invested in their people & their futures / high customer service )... hands down, QT is a gem of a business model.

Braum's suffers from the same "excuses" that Loves uses... low skilled workforce. That is an excuse, QT uses the same (human resources) and achieves their goals.... clean / professional / high customer service ratings , etc. Happy Customers , happy employees., = healthy business model.

[Mastyc]

This is another sad point, the C-level management at Braums are 100% aware of their poor customer service rating. It would cost money for them to make "enhancements" and they are ok with today's results.

Braum's has this example to make a difference: Loves vs. QT ... Loves shares the same "ugly store" issues, but is doing well at the bank. QT is hands-down a better managed corporation ( from the top , to the bottom). and the results are evident... Look at their employees when you walk into their store... Highly trained & motivated. They are buying-into what QT is trying to accomplish.

Bruam's and Loves share the same excuse, they say the "low skilled workforce" is the reason for their POOR performance, but QT is showing you how that is not true.

Honestly, I really think a lot of these problems exist because for what every reason, OKC patrons allow it. Every place that is listed in this thread is pretty much exactly the same. I don't eat at Sonics here because IMO the food quality and service is terrible. I don't have that problem out of town. I don't go to Braums because they are extremely dirty and downright gross. Braums, unlike sonic, has this issue outside of Oklahoma, but those locations don't do any business. I am quite shocked that the Braums in the DFW metroplex stay because I never see any customers at any of them. Taco Bueno in OKC is run down and pretty gross at most locations. But if you go to a newer one in another city they are actually pretty sought after and busy(like the south austin one that was mentioned, lived down the street from it when it opened, was very excited). Homeland and Buy4less? I feel like as long as local customers keep giving these companies money, they have no reason to set higher standards.

[Plutonic Panda]

Honestly, I really think a lot of these problems exist because for what every reason, OKC patrons allow it. Every place that is listed in this thread is pretty much exactly the same. I don't eat at Sonics here because IMO the food quality and service is terrible. I don't have that problem out of town. I don't go to Braums because they are extremely dirty and downright gross. Braums, unlike sonic, has this issue outside of Oklahoma, but those locations don't do any business. I am quite shocked that the Braums in the DFW metroplex stay because I never see any customers at any of them. Taco Bueno in OKC is run down and pretty gross at most locations. But if you go to a newer one in another city they are actually pretty sought after and busy(like the south austin one that was mentioned, lived down the street from it when it opened, was very excited). Homeland and Buy4less? I feel like as long as local customers keep giving these companies money, they have no reason to set higher standards.

When I lived in Dallas, the Braum's that were there were always packed. Braum's is NOT outright dirty and gross. What the hell is wrong with you people? What do you want from Braum's? How about if they lay down gold floors, will that be good enough for you? For Christ's sake, if you think Braum's is that run down and poorly run and the people of OKC want better, then get off your ass and open up a new restaurant with golden floors, platinum plated ovens and stoves, serve your guests liquid diamond, and while you're at it, give everyone a free Phantom with each purchase, maybe that will be good enough customer service.

I have had no problems with Braum's to date and they are a great company that do great things for the local economy and operate by great ethics. You obviously have no idea how much money Braum's donates to great and-in most cases-local causes.

Here is their number: 405-478-1656 .... I'm sure if you tried hard enough, you could even sit down with Bill and discuss your concerns with him, the CEO. They do care what you think and will take action if something is wrong. Sitting around looking for bs excuses to complain is the move of a small man. Stand up for your community and let Braum's know you are not satisfied.

Grow a pair of balls, and call the damn people. It is so funny how you hate on successful companies that do more in one day than you will ever do in your whole life.

[OKVision4U]

When I lived in Dallas, the Braum's that were there were always packed. Braum's is NOT outright dirty and gross. What the hell is wrong with you people? What do you want from Braum's? How about if they lay down gold floors, will that be good enough for you? For Christ's sake, if you think Braum's is that run down and poorly run and the people of OKC want better, then get off your ass and open up a new restaurant with golden floors, platinum plated ovens and stoves, serve your guests liquid diamond, and while you're at it, give everyone a free Phantom with each purchase, maybe that will be good enough customer service.

I have had no problems with Braum's to date and they are a great company that do great things for the local economy and operate by great ethics. You obviously have no idea how much money Braum's donates to great and-in most cases-local causes.

Here is their number: 405-478-1656 .... I'm sure if you tried hard enough, you could even sit down with Bill and discuss your concerns with him, the CEO. They do care what you think and will take action if something is wrong. Sitting around looking for bs excuses to complain is the move of a small man. Stand up for your community and let Braum's know you are not satisfied.

Grow a pair of balls, and call the damn people. It is so funny how you hate on successful companies that do more in one day than you will ever do in your whole life.

Panda, You summed it up so well. This is exactly "WHY" the outside competition is here today. Freddy's is opening a store just a few miles from the Braum's farm and several other NEW locations in the OKC metro. DQ just moved in and opened up a NEW store. Steak & Shake is here too w/ several stores in the OKC metro. Why did they do this, because Braum's is at such a low level of consumer satisfaction. Trust me, they would not be here if Braums was not vulnerable. DQ moved out of Oklahoma, remember? ...why are they back now? ...Braum's left the barn door open.

See we don't have to ( call and demand more from Braum's ), we have other options now.

In a consumer driven business, the customers w/ the loud voice / squeeky-wheel is the easy issue to address. It is the large volume of "quite / unsatisfied" customers that you hate to see leave and never come back. That is where Braum's is at.

[ctchandler]

OKVision4U,
Not to be argumentative but I wanted to point out that there are only two Steak and Shake restaurants in the metro area, one almost to Amarillo, and the other close to Ft. Smith (sorry, just kidding). The addresses are 6030 S. W. 3rd and the other is 7181 S. E. 29th. I'm not sure what you meant by "several". I don't know how many there were, but the Edmond store closed in the last six-twelve months.
C. T.

Steak & Shake is here too w/ several stores in the OKC metro.

[Plutonic Panda]

Seems good for the company

Sonic boom: Drive-in on fast track with nationwide expansion plans

OKLAHOMA CITY – Seven years ago, Max Gelwix and the other three principals in SPG Management LLC decided to bring Sonic to the San Diego, Calif., area. Gelwix said he made the call to the company because he thought the weather in the area was perfect for a brand with sales that historically do well in warm temperatures.

“I felt that the culture and the climate was such a great fit,” Gelwix said. “The average temperature is 75 to 78 degrees, 365 days a year. It’s a nice environment for us.”

SPG Management opened its first store in 2009. That store had $3.6 million in sales in the first year, while an average Sonic has $1.1 million in sales. The company now has seven Sonics in the San Diego metropolitan area, with plans to reach 24 over the next several years.

Those stores are part of Sonic Corp.’s plan to add 1,000 drive-ins in the next 10 years, including 300 planned in California. Bob Franke, senior vice president of franchise sales and international, said the company will recruit additional franchisees in order to make the growth a reality.

“We want to be within a 10-minute reach to every person in the United States,” Franke said. “In order to do that, you have to plan ahead … Our numbers show we have the ability to exponentially grow in today’s environment.”

The company wants to be in all 50 states in the next two years, which Franke said is possible given the national advertising campaign that is seen by customers who are not down the street from a Sonic Drive-In. The company plans to add franchisees in Hawaii and Rhode Island soon, but an exact time frame was not disclosed. Other states that do not have a Sonic are Vermont, New Hampshire, Alaska and Maine.

“There is a lot of pent-up demand,” he said.

- read more here: Sonic boom: Drive-in on fast track with nationwide expansion plans | The Journal Record

[ljbab728]

LOL, what a silly theory. OKC gets crap because we don't care. LOL

[SoonerDave]

OKvision,

Please post your source for the "invested in future/unclean/cheap/low customer service" ratings you cite for QT, Braum's and Love's. I think many of us here would really like to read/study them, as I realize now these must be hard research numbers you are using in the absolutes you're posting. Think we'd all stand to benefit.

[OKVision4U]

OKvision,

Please post your source for the "invested in future/unclean/cheap/low customer service" ratings you cite for QT, Braum's and Love's. I think many of us here would really like to read/study them, as I realize now these must be hard research numbers you are using in the absolutes you're posting. Think we'd all stand to benefit.

well sdave, you have access to some of the information... ODEQ. Go online and review all you want. If you are old enough to drive, you can go there yourself and be sure to look at the archives records too. Enjoy! My (professional) resources may be different than yours. Enjoy your research.