Sonic Drive-In announced a new franchise development agreement for Hawaii, marking the brand’s entrance in its 46th state and first offshore expansion. New Sonic franchisee group, North Shore Provisions LLC plans to develop a total of seven Sonic Drive-Ins in the state of Hawaii, with the first set to open on the island of Oahu in 2018.

“For more than 60 years in the restaurant industry, Sonic has developed a solid franchise-focused business model that truly empowers entrepreneurs with an established and unique concept coupled with robust brand support to guide them every step of the way,” says John Budd, chief development and strategy officer for Sonic. “The addition of North Shore Provisions as our first Hawaii franchisee allows us to introduce our dining experience to a new audience in Hawaii as we pursue our state-by-state expansion.”

North Shore Provisions is led by former NFL Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman and Hawaii native Ma’ake Kemoeatu.  Kemoeatu retired from the NFL in 2014 and returned to his family home in Kahuku, Hawaii, after donating a kidney to his brother.

"We are honored to have our group selected to franchise Sonic Drive-In in Hawaii,” says new franchisee Ma’ake Kemoeatu. “I was introduced to Sonic during my playing days and loved it. We’re excited to bring that taste of the mainland back home to share."

Sonic continues to flex its strength as a franchisor with five consecutive years of positive same-store sales growth and double-digit earnings growth, making it an attractive business venture for entrepreneurs interested in the restaurant and quick-service space. Sonic’s highly differentiated menu, pent-up demand in new markets, and an energetic development pipeline, make this national brand a strong contender for franchisee attention.

Always a drive-in at heart, Sonic partners with franchisees to find a building solution to match their needs and the needs of guests. Sonic enjoys multiple long-term and legacy franchisee relationships and provides an unparalleled level of support at every stage of development. Sonic offers franchisees flexibility with multiple drive-in formats, including: the traditional drive-in model with dining stalls and a drive-thru; conversions of existing restaurant buildings to create unique drive-ins; the counter-service model, offering customizable footprints to fit a variety of spaces; and indoor dining formats that allow guests to experience Sonic in multiple ways—either in their cars, at the drive-thru, or seated at a table inside. 

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