SONIC® Reinvents Ballpark Classic, Debuts Four New Premium Beef Hot Dogs

OKLAHOMA CITY, March 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The humble hot dog is getting a rebuild from four different angles thanks to SONIC®, America's Drive-In®. The nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants is unveiling a line of four Premium Beef Hot Dogs in what the Rachel Ray Show has declared is the "Year of the Hot Dog."

This American food staple has long been the domain of ballparks and street vendors, but the average dog has been evolving as of late. Gourmet hot dog restaurants are popping up across the country and experimenting with new flavor combinations.

Now you don't have to look hard to try an incredible hot dog. SONIC Drive-Ins have added four new Premium Beef Hot Dogs to their menu to give your taste buds four unforgettable experiences.

"SONIC's new Premium Beef Hot Dogs have an amazing combination of fresh toppings that create a variety of flavor experiences," said Danielle Vona, chief marketing officer for SONIC. "Our Coney has been a favorite with customers for years and the new hot dogs are the perfect option for lunch, dinner or an afternoon snack."  

The new Premium Beef Hot Dogs are made with 100% pure beef and available in four flavor experiences:

• Chicago Dog: a grilled beef hot dog with pickle, relish, tomatoes, hot peppers, chopped onions, celery salt and mustard in a soft, warm poppy seed bun.
• New York Dog: a grilled beef hot dog with spicy mustard, grilled onions and crunchy sauerkraut in a soft, warm bakery bun.
• All-American Dog: a grilled beef hot dog with ketchup, mustard, relish and chopped onions on a soft, warm bakery bun.
• Chili Cheese Coney: a grilled beef hot dog with warm chili and melty shredded Cheddar cheese in a warm, toasted, specialty hot dog bun.

Guests can try any of the new Premium Beef Hot Dogs for $1.99 each, plus tax.

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SONIC's Signature Drink Combinations

The Premium Beef Hot Dogs are perfect to pair with one of SONIC's signature drinks. Only at SONIC can customers personalize more than 398,929 drink combinations. For those keeping track, that number of drink options has increased with recent additions like two refreshing favorites – Coke Zero™ and Fanta® Orange. SONIC's drink experts will perfectly mix whatever drink you are craving.

Drinks and slushes are half price during Happy Hour, from 2-4 p.m. daily, which is the perfect time to experiment with SONIC drink combinations like Cherry Limeade Slush, Vanilla Fanta® Orange, Cherry Coke® or Strawberry Minute Maid® Lemonade.

Play SONIC's Match Maker(SM) Game*

During March and April, SONIC bag stickers hold a promotional code, and you can enter the code at SonicDriveIn.com. You could win one of over 50,000 free combos, and four customers will win a $5,000 Amazon.com Gift Card. There are instant-win free combo winners from every SONIC Drive-In. While on SonicDriveIn.com, customers can take SONIC's Match Maker(SM) quiz to find out which drink and hot dog match suits them best. Anyone who takes SONIC's Match Maker quiz will receive a $1 off coupon to try a hot dog combo. Drive in to your local SONIC to check your bag sticker or visit SonicDriveIn.com for more information. No purchase is required to play SONIC's Match Maker game. For full rules and free entry method, visit SonicDriveIn.com.

About SONIC

SONIC®, America's Drive-In® (Nasdaq: 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 – more than 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 $1.3 million dollars to public school classrooms in local communities across the country. Visit www.limeadesforlearning.com to learn more about SONIC's commitment to education.

*No Purchase Necessary to play. See posted rules at SONIC® Drive-ins or SONICDRIVEIN.COM for free entry method. Must be U.S. resident 16 or older. Bag Stickers with Combo codes available, while supplies last, at participating SONIC® drive-ins in the U.S. from 2/28/11 to 4/30/11. Play game at www.sonicdrivein.com from 12:01 am ET on 2/28/11 to 11:59 pm ET on 4/30/11. Free Combo not to exceed $7.50, including tax. Subject to full rules. Void where prohibited. Amazon.com is not a sponsor of this promotion.  For complete gift card terms and conditions, visit www.amazon.com/gc-legal.

SOURCE SONIC, America's Drive-In