Troy N. Smith, Sr. opened a restaurant that would become the first Sonic Drive-In at Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1953. Smith’s original plan was to tear down the existing small walk up root beer stand, called the “Top Hat”, and open a steakhouse in the log cabin that was on the site. After realizing that the stand was averaging $700.00 a week in the sale of root beer, hamburgers and hot dogs Smith decided to keep the stand open and never continued on the planned steakhouse. Originally at the Top Hat customers would park anywhere on the gravel lot and walk up to place their orders. However, on a trip to Louisiana, Smith saw a drive-in that utilized speakers for ordering. He realized that he could increase his sales if he could control the parking and have the customers order from speakers at their cars. Carhops would then deliver the food to the customers. Smith borrowed several cars from a friend who owned a used car lot to establish a layout for controlled parking. He also had some so cal
Finally: A Sonic Island man plans to open 15 in county By Lena Khzouz, The Ile Camera PUBLISHED: February 22, 2008 John Matar (above) of Grosse Ile and his partner, Fred Rafou, are planning to open 15 Sonic restaurants in Wayne County. The first is coming to Fort Street in Southgate and is scheduled for an April opening. Purchase a copy of this photo SOUTHGATE — If you’ve been seeing the Sonic commercials for years and wondered where in the world there is one, you’ll soon have to look no farther than Fort Street. The first of the “upscale,” fast-food restaurants to be built in Michigan is under construction on Fort Street, near Meijer. Weather permitting, it will open in April. John Matar of Grosse Ile Township and his partner, Fred Rafou of West Bloomfield, are planning to open 15 Sonic restaurants in Wayne County. By contract, Matar and Rafou must open multiple Sonic locations in Michigan. In addition to the Southgate drive-in, a Sonic in Canton Township is in the works. As planned o
First Sonic Drive-In in West Michigan opens in Portage Tuesday, December 30, 2008 PORTAGE — The first Sonic Drive-In restaurant in West Michigan opened Monday in Portage. The franchise, owned by Trigo Hospitality of St. Joseph, features 21 drive-in stalls, two walk-up ordering stations and a drive-through. “We are very excited to open a Sonic in Portage,” Dan Finn, manager of the restaurant, said in a written statement. “We are looking forward to serving the community and delivering the fun carhop service Sonic Drive-Ins are known for across the country.” The restaurant, 349 Romence Road, will be open from 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week. Oklahoma-based Sonic started as a hamburger and root beer stand in 1953 in Shawnee, Okla., and was called Top Hat Drive-In. Its name changed to Sonic in 1959. Sonic is the nation’s largest chain of drive-in restaurants, with 3,500 establishments. Trigo, which also owns Pizza Hut and Panera Bread franchises in West Michigan, also plans to ope