What's keeping Sonic Drive-In out of Chicagoland?
As someone who moved from Dallas/Fort Worth to Chicagoland some time ago, I can understand that certain things don't translate well between the two locales. Commuter culture is vastly different, though far too many commuters drive and drive alone in both places.
What boggles my mind is the lack of Sonic Drive-In Restaurants in Chicagoland. I realize the car-centric nature of the chain makes it a difficult sell to franchisees in an area that can be inundated with snow and freezing temperatures through a considerable portion of the year, though that season appears to be concentrated between January 1 and April 30. I posit franchises would make enough money during the warmer months to afford being closed or open fewer hours during the colder months.
What Sonic offers the Chicagoland area is their specialty drinks and treats. The standard burger joint fare are above par, but the Limeaids, Shakes, Malts, Slushes, Cream Slushes, and flavored sodas set them apart from most other chains. We Chicagoans have our scattered Dairy Queens and a few independently-operated treat stands, but Sonic offers great drinks and treats at reasonable prices. Many Sonic franchises feature Happy Hours that offer drinks and treats at half price during a varying range of hours -- they differ by franchise.
My wife and I realize we might be alone when we're driving around craving something Sonic with nothing to satisfy it. If only Chicagoland knew what they were missing -- which I'd hope is a larger number as Sonics can be found in Indiana and central and southern Illinois. Hopefully, Sonic's recent pentration into the Des Moines area is a sign of things to come. If they come that far north, all they need to do is head east for a large market that could very likely grab hold of the franchise. If Potbelly's relatively cheap offering can spread like a virus in Chicago and elsewhere, why not Sonic?
What boggles my mind is the lack of Sonic Drive-In Restaurants in Chicagoland. I realize the car-centric nature of the chain makes it a difficult sell to franchisees in an area that can be inundated with snow and freezing temperatures through a considerable portion of the year, though that season appears to be concentrated between January 1 and April 30. I posit franchises would make enough money during the warmer months to afford being closed or open fewer hours during the colder months.
What Sonic offers the Chicagoland area is their specialty drinks and treats. The standard burger joint fare are above par, but the Limeaids, Shakes, Malts, Slushes, Cream Slushes, and flavored sodas set them apart from most other chains. We Chicagoans have our scattered Dairy Queens and a few independently-operated treat stands, but Sonic offers great drinks and treats at reasonable prices. Many Sonic franchises feature Happy Hours that offer drinks and treats at half price during a varying range of hours -- they differ by franchise.
My wife and I realize we might be alone when we're driving around craving something Sonic with nothing to satisfy it. If only Chicagoland knew what they were missing -- which I'd hope is a larger number as Sonics can be found in Indiana and central and southern Illinois. Hopefully, Sonic's recent pentration into the Des Moines area is a sign of things to come. If they come that far north, all they need to do is head east for a large market that could very likely grab hold of the franchise. If Potbelly's relatively cheap offering can spread like a virus in Chicago and elsewhere, why not Sonic?
Posted by GiromiDe @ 2:40 PM
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