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Sonic Plans Expansion Over 10 Years

KWGS News File Photo

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma-based Sonic Corp. says it plans to open 1,000 new drive-in restaurants over the next 10 years, expanding the chain by about 30 percent.

Sonic now has about 3,500 drive-ins in 44 states. Sonic's chief development and strategy officer John Budd says the company has a goal to expand into all 50 states.

Budd tells The Oklahoman that the company's core market has always been Oklahoma and Texas, but says Sonic is making adjustments to the design of its restaurants to suit other climates. In colder areas, for example, Sonic has added dining rooms in addition to its typical patio seating.

Sonic says it expects to grow total employment from about 150,000 workers system-wide to 200,000 in the next 10 years.