  Ericdetfan Member Username: Ericdetfan Post Number: 112 Registered: 02-2007 |
Whats the Deal with all these Sonic commercials on TV when there isn't even one close to the detroit area (at least not one that I know of)..You would figure that they would do well here considering that we have tons of eager people willing to try them cause their commercials have been playing for like 3 years now and I have yet to see on outside of Kentucky. lol | ||
Mdoyle Member Username: Mdoyle Post Number: 119 Registered: 10-2006 |
They are looking for franchise opportunities in MI. The commercials are most likely to draw possible owners. You would think in a place like the Motor City that someone would be all over a drive in fastfood place. http://www.sonicdrivein.com/bu siness/franchise/index.jsp | ||
3rdworldcity Member Username: 3rdworldcity Post Number: 757 Registered: 01-2005 |
Lots of them in TX. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 850 Registered: 10-2003 |
Thank you Ericdetfan. I have been asking this forever. And the closest one I've ever seen is Kentucky. I thought television provided a little more channeled outlet for your advertisements than that. Surely they do not have to run their ads in our market when they have no locations even remotely near here. Confusing. | ||
Warrenite84 Member Username: Warrenite84 Post Number: 129 Registered: 01-2007 |
I tried one in mid Ohio a couple of years back. The food is good. It reminds me of an A&W Drive-in. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 851 Registered: 10-2003 |
Those frozen drinks they have are awesome. And I like how you can pay with a card from your car! Sonic Rules. Come up here Sonic! | ||
Dannaroo Member Username: Dannaroo Post Number: 83 Registered: 05-2006 |
When I lived in NC, I used to go to Sonic every saturday morning for two breakfast burritos and a chocolate cream pie shake and have been craving them again for years. I have heard that somebody has already bought the franchise rights and is now in the process of looking for locations in Troy and Macomb Twp or Clinton Twp (the info comes from the niece of the franchisee). | ||
Pinewood73 Member Username: Pinewood73 Post Number: 53 Registered: 07-2006 |
That's great news Dannaroo. I tried Sonic when I was in Phoenix and Orlando. Coconut Cream Pie Shakes are great! | ||
Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar Post Number: 671 Registered: 01-2006 |
Sonic would be a hit in this city. | ||
Mjb3 Member Username: Mjb3 Post Number: 157 Registered: 11-2004 |
I don't think they are running commercials "to lure franchisee's". Usually these buys are national ad buys through ESPN, TNT, etc. Sonic's are good. Hope we get some soon in Michigan. They are in southern Indiana. I wish we had Waffle House as well... | ||
Cambrian Member Username: Cambrian Post Number: 1269 Registered: 08-2006 |
Do you see them on local channels or simply the Cable bundle channels like A&E or Discovery? I'vd only seen them on the non local ones and assumed it was a regional package that Sonic paid for when they bought the advertising. | ||
Vintagesoul Member Username: Vintagesoul Post Number: 6 Registered: 06-2007 |
I really hope it goes through, Danaroo! I've been seeing those commercials for a few years, and I felt like what an awful tease they were... the drinks and shakes look awesome. My sister says they have one in Southern Indiana? Not sure, but she said the food was pretty good. We could use something different up here... | ||
Bigjeff Member Username: Bigjeff Post Number: 86 Registered: 08-2006 |
I thought I remember someone telling me that the only reason that there haven't been any built in this area is because there was some legal ramblings from the folks at Eddie's Drive In on Jefferson in Harrison Township was making a stink about it. | ||
Savannahsmiles Member Username: Savannahsmiles Post Number: 62 Registered: 05-2005 |
I have no idea why there are no Sonic's in Detroit, but I would like to make a suggestion... If one ever comes in, and your order the Route 44 big drink, be sure to ask for easy ice or you will end up with a $2.00 cup of ice with a little drink in it. I hope Sonic ventures to Detroit. It is a very popular business here in the south. | ||
Toolbox Member Username: Toolbox Post Number: 1089 Registered: 10-2003 |
Lots of area cities have ordinances against eating in your cars. This is why you do not see many drive in resturants in the area. | ||
3rdworldcity Member Username: 3rdworldcity Post Number: 761 Registered: 01-2005 |
Another popular place in TX, FL and some other southern states is the "Golden Corral," an all-you-can-eat joint w/ above average food, and very inexpensive. They have "food stations: not unlike the MGM buffet. The desserts and fresh baked bread (every 15 minutes - they ring a big bell to let customers know it's coming out of the oven)are particularly good. About 5 years ago the franchisor announced a deal to build 20 of them in SE MI. Nothing ever came of it. I think they'd do great, but they obviously changed their minds. | ||
Japes Member Username: Japes Post Number: 25 Registered: 02-2007 |
This info is from the Sonic Rep in Vegas at the ICSC show in May. Sonic has sold the Franchises for Oakland and Macomb county, and expects to have a location or two open an year to 18months. They are in talks with a few persons about Wayne/Monroe/Washtenaw County(they may have been sold at this point). They are aggressive when they go into an area so the person needs to be familiar with operating a fast food restaurant and have capital to open more than one store. They realize Detroit will be a big market for them. They advertise on cable as mjb3 said -- it is cheap, creates brand awareness and helps with demand when they move into a new area as the name is not new and people want to try it. I was not interested in Sonic when I was at ICSC, but saw the booth and went and talked to the guys as I had the questions that people have been asking here. As for Waffle House -- I think I just threw up a bit in my mouth..... They didn't have a booth at ICSC in Vegas, and no would I have talked to them if they did.  (Message edited by japes on July 02, 2007) | ||
Japes Member Username: Japes Post Number: 26 Registered: 02-2007 |
3rdworldcity - There is a Golden Corral in Westland -- Warren Road between Newburgh and Wayne, south side of the road. That however is the only one I know of around Metro Detroit. | ||
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13 Post Number: 1829 Registered: 10-2003 |
Sonic makes a tasty burger. | ||
Courtney Member Username: Courtney Post Number: 145 Registered: 06-2004 |
According to the website, the two closest locations are in Fort Wayne, IN and another 3 miserable miles away in Van Wert, OH. I could kill for a cherry limeaid slush. I have lingering nightmares of Quincey's and Ryan's experiences with the grandparents when I was young. I have never seen adults in their Sunday "best" FIGHTING over the last piece of fried chicken before and never hope to again. This region as a whole does not need to be subjected to such horrors. Aside from the fact that after spending a good 15 minutes looking at a buffet and the people venturing to it, you lose your appetite. Sneeze guards don't work very well unless you're over a certain height. And then there are those who must bypass the serving utensils to search through to find that ONE perfect piece of food... | ||
Dbest Member Username: Dbest Post Number: 34 Registered: 03-2007 |
Well I dont know about other Sonics but the one in Fort Wayne is down right awful, They opened about a year and a half ago and I would always see there there ad's on tv and wonder whey they werent here, and after trying there food I came to the realization that these are glorified McDonalds drive-ins. Oh and Van Wert, Ohio is about 30 miles from Fort Wayne not three. Sonic sucks! | ||
Abracadabra Member Username: Abracadabra Post Number: 42 Registered: 04-2007 |
I would much rather see Daly's or A&W drive-ins. There are a few A&W's around that still have a drive in service, one in Farmington on Grand River. There is another way out in Dexter. The one on Walled Lake dropped the franchise and is now Tom's Rootbeer Stand or something equally generic. Is it because of poor business or bad management? The only problem is that around here they are seasonal businesses. Also, the Sonic commercials are moronic. Bad commercials are reason enough to NOT patronize a business. On the other hand, the Del Taco near me seems to be doing very well. Any Sonics would need to have a drive-thru. And new commercials. | ||
Udmphikapbob Member Username: Udmphikapbob Post Number: 381 Registered: 07-2004 |
Southgate is getting a Sonic!!! http://thenewsherald.com/stori es/062907/loc_20070629002.shtm l quote: Cheesy Tater Tots and Frito Pies are here at last! | ||
Flyingj Member Username: Flyingj Post Number: 15 Registered: 08-2006 |
They are good, it's actually cheaper for them in terms of rates & residuals & what not to run ads on basic cable channels than local spot buys on network stations in the Sonic zone of TX, OK & throughout the South & lower Midwest(if it also creates "awareness" in areas they are not, that's pure gravy) We used to have 6 of 'em spread around Eastern L.A./O.C. County now we're down to 1 in Anaheim & a slew around Bakersfield. If you want another decent, yet obscure burger chain to check out in town try Culver's http://culvers.know-where.com/ culvers/cgi/region?country=US& region=MI&design=default&lang= en&mapid=US | ||
Rolen Member Username: Rolen Post Number: 21 Registered: 01-2004 |
Sonic would be a hit in this city. Actually if they put one in the city it would soon get hit. | ||
Detroit_stylin Member Username: Detroit_stylin Post Number: 4378 Registered: 10-2003 |
Probably not. They would have to change their business model. Any one remember Rally's? | ||
Tammypio Member Username: Tammypio Post Number: 135 Registered: 04-2005 |
I always go to Sonic when I visit family in Lumberton, North Carolina...love...LOVE...their peach shakes!! So awesome! | ||
Urban_shocker Member Username: Urban_shocker Post Number: 280 Registered: 12-2003 |
Sonic and Del Taco finally down... Jack in the Box, Whataburger, and In and Out left to go. Fast food has sucked in this town for a long time. Folk don't even know what they missin. | ||
Evelethcdenver Member Username: Evelethcdenver Post Number: 107 Registered: 02-2004 |
Sonic is all over here in Denver. They are always busy. Their food is all right, but their drinks are great. | ||
Urbanize Member Username: Urbanize Post Number: 1338 Registered: 02-2007 |
Detroit is a very profitable market for Fast Food Really (not including the fact we're one of the fattest cities in the U.S.). That's why were seeing restaurants like Culver's and Fatburger investing here. I think the reason we're not getting any restaurants is due to the lack of Franchise owners that want to invest in the area. Also, the restaurants we do have come along with poor service. Until we can fix these issues, there won't be a big influx in Fast Food restaurants anytime soon. | ||
Jonesy Member Username: Jonesy Post Number: 340 Registered: 07-2005 |
Sonic is fantabulous! The strawberry limeades are the greatest! It is one of the things that I miss the most about TX. And their burgers are delicious too. For a fast food restaurants they have one of the most extensive menus. They have a breakfast menu and a huge variety of deserts and drinks. Plus any place that sells tater tots can't be too bad! - Mrs. Jonesy | ||
Planner_727 Member Username: Planner_727 Post Number: 114 Registered: 07-2006 |
Ericdetfan - I have complained to whomever would listen for the past few years that the damn Sonic commercials come on, talk about products that I would LOVE, and don't have any outlets even close to here. If you go to thier web site, they have a map of all the locations... you can probably get a 1:1 correlation if you overlay an average temperature or average snowfall map. The problem as I see it is pure dollars and cents: if you can only stay open 8 or 9 months a year, you lose 25-33% of business for the same overhead. It's a shame, too. They seem like more "modern" versions of the few A&W drive-ins that remain. I know several of the Ohio locations have thier own website with weekly car shows and drive-in style events--I'm sure they are great assets to any community. Just imagine plopping a couple along the "cruise" routes in metro Detroit--they'd be packed with classic cars every weekend. Maybe global warming isn't so bad afterall... if it brings Sonic! | ||
Planner_727 Member Username: Planner_727 Post Number: 115 Registered: 07-2006 |
3rdworld- There is a Golden Corral new construction opening later this year in front of the new WalMart next to the new Meijer along M-25 north of Port Huron on your way to Charlevoix/Lakeport and beyond. Right at the end of the "strip". | ||
Ericdetfan Member Username: Ericdetfan Post Number: 117 Registered: 02-2007 |
the thing about those cruise nights is that it not only attrcats classics, but it also attracts all the teenagers with their riced-out dodge neons with 3 foot shopping cart wings on the back... The 50's Mcdonalds in Dearborn Heights had a classic car show night on the weekend, but they cancelled them. Every time I drove by there on my way home from work the parking lot was PACKED with teens and their riced-out cars...My guess is they started to have fights about whos car had more bass or whos car sounded like a gas-powered weed whacker. I also never saw anyone actually eating the food, either so I think MD's prolly thought the better of it. Something like that might work if the made it classic cars only and made people buy something...Would be kinda tough to enforce tho | ||
Oilcan_harry Member Username: Oilcan_harry Post Number: 11 Registered: 08-2006 |
We had several Sonic locations here in Indy. But about 2 or 3 years ago they all suddenly closed. No idea why. They were always busy. |
