Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ: SONC), the nation's largest chain of drive-in
restaurants, today announced that it will host an investor day with
industry analysts and institutional investors at the company's offices
on Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. CDT and
conclude at 12:30 p.m. CDT. Presentations addressing Sonic's business
strategies, including marketing, refranchising and operations
initiatives, will be simulcast over the Internet. A link to this event
may be found at the investor section of the company's website, www.sonicdrivein.com.
A tour of a Sonic Drive-In in Oklahoma City will follow the formal
presentations.
Providing an update on its business in the third quarter, Sonic
announced that system-wide same-store sales in March and April
deteriorated slightly versus levels experienced in the first two
quarters of fiscal 2009, reflecting an ongoing weak consumer
environment. The company continues to be successful in refranchising
partner drive-ins with the completion of several transactions. In
addition to refranchising 111 drive-ins, as previously announced, the
company also recently sold a majority interest in the operations of 82
drive-ins in core and developing markets. Sonic will retain a minority
ownership interest in these drive-ins. With this latest sale, Sonic has
succeeded in refranchising approximately 190 drive-ins during the first
three quarters of fiscal 2009, decreasing the percentage of partner
drive-ins from 20% to 14% of the total system.
About Sonic
Sonic, America's Drive-In, originally started as a hamburger and root
beer stand in 1953 in Shawnee, Okla., called Top Hat Drive-In, and then
changed its name to Sonic in 1959. The first drive-in to adopt the Sonic
name is still serving customers in Stillwater, Okla. Sonic has more than
3,500 drive-ins coast to coast, where more than a million customers eat
every day. For more information about Sonic Corp. and its subsidiaries,
visit Sonic at www.sonicdrivein.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements
reflect management's expectations regarding future events and operating
performance and speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking
statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in,
or underlying, these forward-looking statements are detailed in the
company's annual and quarterly report filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly
release revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events
or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of
unforeseen events, except as required to be reported under the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SONC-G
