Will R.I. embrace Sonic?

For years television viewers in Rhode Island were tempted by the delights of another world.

Paraded before our eyes was an array of sizzling hamburgers and hearty hot dogs fresh off the grill piled high with savory chili and all the fixings. Mountains of Tater Tots cascaded all around.

Carhops quickly and efficiently served up frosty shakes and slushy drinks, all from an exotic place called Sonic Drive-In. These delicacies were made all the more irresistible by the fact they were out of reach for most of us. The nearest Sonic was hundreds of miles away. Company headquarters was in Oklahoma. Just when it seemed as though it was too much to bear, there was a glimmer of hope. In summer 2009, Sonic announced it had established an outpost in New England. The first location was in the Boston suburb of Peabody. Apparently people on the North Shore had had the same temptations. During the opening week, the wait at the drive-thru windows was as long as two hours. Then other Sonics opened around Boston. A handful more came to Connecticut.

And finally in January of this year, the announcement that Rhode Island would be getting its first Sonic. All this for a place that started out as a hamburger and root beer stand in Shawnee, Oklahoma back in 1953.

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Bob Franke, senior vice president of franchise sales for the company, was at the recent New England Food Show in Boston and stopped by my radio booth. He signed up two franchisees and work is now underway on what is planned to be four locations for the drive-in restaurant throughout the state, with the first location in Smithfield to open later this year.

This is an interesting choice for a location as the town already is home to the only remaining drive-in restaurant in the state, A & W. McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, Starbucks and Panera also have locations in town.

The local Sonic menu is for the most part identical to what is offered elsewhere in the country. The signature items are cheeseburgers on either traditional buns or thick-sliced Texas toast, topped with the usual fixings plus housemade onion rings; and the Coney, served at the first Sonic back in Shawnee over 60 years ago. This foot-long hot dog topped with warm chili and Cheddar is available with mustard, onions or jalapenos. This may become known as the anti-hot wiener, where one will suffice as a meal.

According to Franke, 40 percent of Sonic’s business is in drinks and desserts. The chain offers 25 flavors of shakes, including strawberry cheesecake and jalapeno chocolate. Guests are invited to mix up their own concoctions as well.

On the drawing board for the Rhode Island locations is the addition of a bagel breakfast sandwich.

The company started out under another name back in the 1950s. It was the fast service provided by the carhops that led customers to marvel that the food was delivered carside “at the speed of sound.” The phrase was added to the restaurant’s logo and in 1959 the name was changed entirely to “Sonic.” The company has ambitious expansion plans for New England.

Franke stated at the trade show that Sonic would like to open more than 40 new restaurants in Massachusetts and an additional 25 drive-ins throughout New England, including Rhode Island.

The company appears to have an awareness of the standards we who dine out often have, as well as what it takes to succeed and become part of the food community in our state. •
Bruce Newbury’s “Dining Out” talk radio show is heard on 920 WHJJ-AM, 1540 WADK-AM and on mobile applications. He can be reached by email at bruce@brucenewbury.com.

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