SONIC®, America's Drive-In®, First National QSR to Offer Sweet Potato Tots

OKLAHOMA CITY, Feb. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sweet potatoes are making a grand entrance on the SONIC menu.

SONIC is expanding its unique Tots offering by introducing new Sweet Potato Tots to its menu for a limited time. According to data from the USDA Economic Research Service*, sweet potato U.S. per capita consumption has been on the rise, even as white potato consumption has slowed. As a result, it looks like the unsung spud is finally getting its due and feeling the love beyond the Thanksgiving dinner table.

"Everyone is talking about sweet potatoes as a trend but few are putting unique offerings on their menus," said Clas Petersson, vice president of product & packaging. "SONIC is excited to offer its guests such a distinctive food flavor. If you love SONIC's tots and sweet potatoes, this is a match made in heaven."

SONIC's Sweet Potato Tots are a perfect innovation, combining sweet and salty flavors in the Tot form loved by SONIC guests. The new Tots can be enjoyed as a snack or additional upgrade to any of SONIC's combo meals.

Poppable Possibilities

The poppable possibilities of SONIC's Jumbo Popcorn Chicken are endless. Have a late night craving or want to share this snack with friends? This bite-sized menu item is hard to resist and delicious as a snack or a meal. SONIC's Jumbo Popcorn Chicken is made with all white pieces of chicken breast and is available in snack or large sizes with your choice of three dipping sauces: Hickory BBQ, Honey Mustard or Ranch. For a limited time only, SONIC is offering a snack size Jumbo Popcorn Chicken for $1.99 after 8 p.m.

New Justice League Tots Call SONIC Home

SONIC and DC Comics have partnered to bring superheroes in Tot form. For a limited time, each Wacky Pack kids' meal will include one of 10 Justice League Tots or special Tots card deck. The partnership with DC Comics is the first of its kind for SONIC's popular series of Tots toys.

About SONIC Drive-In

SONIC®, America's Drive-In® (NASDAQ/NM: SONC) 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. As the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants, SONIC has more than 3,500 drive-ins in 43 states coast to coast. Approximately 3 million customers eat at SONIC every day; and with more drink combinations than any other quick-service restaurant –398,929 – SONIC is Your Ultimate Drink Stop®. For more information about Sonic Corp. and its subsidiaries, visit SONIC at SonicDriveIn.com. Through Limeades for Learning®, SONIC and its franchise partners have donated more than $2 million to public school classrooms in local communities across the country.

*From Sweet Potato Consumption Trends Report prepared by LambWeston® for SONIC Drive-In August, 2010. Sourced to USDA Economic Research Service - Economic Research Service (ERS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Food Availability (Per Capita) Data System. http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/FoodConsumption.

Contact:
Anita Strohm
(816) 423.6188
[email protected]

SOURCE SONIC Drive-In