1953, Shawnee, Oklahoma, United StatesSonic Drive-In / Founded Sonic, founded by Troy N. Smith, Sr., opened its first location in 1953, under the name Top Hat Drive-In. Originally a walk-up root beer stand outside a log-cabin steakhouse selling soda, hamburgers, and hotdogs, Sonic currently has 3,545 locations in the United States.

The corporation evolved from the Top Hat Drive-In (later Sonic) in Shawnee, Oklahoma, a restaurant founded in 1953 by Troy Smith. After three failed restaurant ventures, Smith opened the Top Hat, an abandoned root beer stand, to serve hamburgers and hot dogs cooked to order.

Through the 1950s and 1960s, the Sonic brand grew, with Troy Smith and Charlie Pappe making deals with local businessmen who worked in the free market. This meant that the different communities where the restaurants were located could have a say on the pricing and food options based on what they liked.

As opposed to most quick-service chains, which are walk-in and drive-thru, nearly all Sonic locations allow customers to pull up and park at the drive-in (though many also offer sit down and drive-thru options). Then, carhops deliver food directly to the cars, either on foot or roller skates.

Shawnee, Oklahoma, United StatesSonic Drive-In / Place founded In 1953, the prototype of the first SONIC® Drive-In® opened in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Back then, SONIC revolutionized the ordering process by using curbside speakers that allowed customers to place food orders without ever leaving their cars.

Sonic the Hedgehog (character)

As Sega's mascot and one of the key reasons for the company's success during the 16-bit era of video game consoles, Sonic is one of the most famous video game characters in the world. In 1993, Sonic became the first video game character to have a balloon in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

1953 In 1953, the prototype of the first SONIC® Drive-In® opened in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Back then, SONIC revolutionized the ordering process by using curbside speakers that allowed customers to place food orders without ever leaving their cars.

The origins of Sonic can be traced farther back to a draft created by Naoto Ōshima in 1989, which years later turned into Sonic. Yuji Naka implemented the idea of a character running inside loops with an algorithm that allowed a sprite to move smoothly on a curve by determining its position with a dot matrix.

We did it by sticking to what made drive-ins so popular in the first place: made-to-order American classics, signature menu items, and speedy service from friendly Carhops full of fun and personality. Don't miss California's best happy hour! Head to SONIC® from 2-4 p.m. daily for half price drinks and Slushes.

Sonic Drive-In Mission Statement To become America's most-loved restaurant brand.

When Sonic the Hedgehog was first in development, he was actually called Mr Needlemouse. Thankfully cooler heads prevailed. If you've ever wondered why Sonic looks so familiar, a number of pop culture icons were actually used to influence his design.