Since when has Sonic, an affiliate of Auntie Annes, offered franchises for Sonic restaurants?
Auntie_Annes Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
Sonic is the franchisor of Sonic Drive-In® restaurants, which serve hot dogs, hamburgers and other sandwiches, tater tots and other sides, a full breakfast menu and frozen treats and other drinks. Sonic became an Affiliated Program through an acquisition in December 2018. Sonic has offered franchises for Sonic restaurants since May 2011. As of December 31, 2023, there were 3,521 Sonic Drive-Ins operating in the United States (3,195 franchised and 326 company-owned).
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 10–24)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to the 2024 Auntie Anne's Franchise Disclosure Document, Sonic has been offering franchises for Sonic restaurants since May 2011. Sonic became an affiliated program of Auntie Anne's through an acquisition in December 2018. As of December 31, 2023, there were 3,521 Sonic Drive-Ins operating in the United States, with 3,195 being franchised and 326 company-owned.
This means that while Auntie Anne's and Sonic are now affiliated, Sonic has maintained its own franchise program independently. A prospective Auntie Anne's franchisee should understand that the affiliation does not mean they are also granted a Sonic franchise or vice versa. The affiliation primarily relates to corporate structure and potential resource sharing at the parent company level, GoTo Foods.
For a potential franchisee, this information highlights the importance of understanding the specific franchise being offered. While there may be benefits from the backing of a larger parent company like GoTo Foods, the franchisee's business will be focused solely on Auntie Anne's pretzels, lemonade, and related products, unless they pursue a co-branded opportunity with Cinnabon, which requires a separate franchise agreement with Cinnabon.