Sonic Teams With Its Operators, Supply Partners and Customers to Aid Hurricane Katrina Victims

OKLAHOMA CITY (Thursday, September 08, 2005) - Sonic Corp. (SONC - news), the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants, today announced that it will join with its operators to provide financial support for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Through a variety of methods, operators, supply partners, and customers are working together to contribute to relief efforts for the victims of last week's hurricane. All customer donations will go to the American Red Cross; Sonic will collect donations to the American Red Cross through October 15, 2005. Sonic Corp. also has set aside $250,000 to match contributions from its operators and supply partners for Hurricane Katrina victims, including employees at a number of its franchise locations.

Commenting on the announcement, Clifford Hudson, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, said, "Although the human cost and physical damage caused by this storm is staggering, we are heartened by the swift and compassionate action of our customers, operators and supply partners as they once again come to the assistance of those in need. As small businessmen and women, some located in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, our operators have a close perspective on the toll this catastrophe has taken on their local communities, and they have a real sense of urgency in seeing that significant aid is directed immediately to the hard-hit Gulf Coast region. We are honored to be a part of this important effort."

Hudson also noted that Hurricane Katrina caused no physical damage to any of Sonic's partner drive-ins -- those in which the company has a majority equity interest. The company is marshalling its internal resources to come to the aid of franchisees affected by Hurricane Katrina. Interruptions to communications and power systems, blocked roads, and restricted access in some areas have hampered the company's efforts to assess the full impact of the storm. Nevertheless, the company believes approximately 25 to 30 franchise drive-ins remained closed as of today. About one-half of these closures are believed to be temporary in nature, awaiting restoration of utility services. The company understands that the remaining franchise drive-ins may have incurred significant structural damage and could be closed for a prolonged period of time.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. There are certain important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the statements made herein. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ from predicted or expected results are: delays in opening new stores because of weather, strikes, local permitting or other reasons; increased competition; cost increases or shortages in raw food products; risks of and publicity surrounding foodborne illness; and the possibility of unforeseen events affecting the industry generally. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly release revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unforeseen events, except as required to be reported under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Sonic, America's Drive-In, originally 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. Sonic has approximately 3,000 drive-ins coast to coast and in Mexico. More than a million customers eat at Sonic every day. For more information about Sonic Corp. and its subsidiaries, visit Sonic at http://www.sonicdrivein.com

For More Infromation Please contact:
Stephen C. Vaughan, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Sonic Corp
Phone: (405) 225-4800

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