Sonic Drive-In, commonly known as Sonic, is an American fast food chain founded in 1953 by Troy Smith in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Initially called Top Hat Drive-In, the name was changed to Sonic in 1959 to reflect its tagline, "Service with the Speed of Sound," which highlighted the chain's quick service. Sonic became famous for its unique drive-in setup where customers order through intercoms from their cars, and carhops bring the food to them, often on roller skates. Sonic operates over 3,500 locations across the U.S. and is known for its wide variety of drink combinations (over 168,000 possible options) and signature items like cherry limeades and slushes. It was acquired by Inspire Brands in 2018, joining a portfolio that includes Arby’s, Dunkin’, and Buffalo Wild Wings​. Sonic's iconic carhops still deliver food in classic drive-in style, and some locations even feature adult play areas with batting cages or volleyball courts. Additionally, a few Sonic Beach locations in Florida serve alcoholic beverages