Sonic looking toward boom in the suburbs
Sonic, a burger eatery with a nostalgic 1950's-style system of ordering, is skating into the suburbs.
The Oklahoma chain, which opened it's 3,500th drive-in restaurant in Algonquin over the weekend, features 20 car stalls with speakers and carhops delivering orders on roller skates. In snowy weather, skates are replaced with boots.
John Cywinski, a 25-year veteran in the restaurant industry, is principal owner of the company's newest location at 1090 S. Randall Road. The North Barrington resident, who previously held executive marketing positions with McDonald's, Applebee's and Burger King, plans to open another location on Rand Road in Lake Zurich this summer and Gurnee and Mundelein after that. The weather will be more conducive to the concept in warmer months.
"I was outside freezing while directing traffic all weekend," Cywinski said. He noted that 30 cars were lined up waiting to get into the parking lot most of the weekend.
"This is a hip, cool fun brand," said Cywinski, a native of Arlington Heights and St. Viator High School graduate. Also attending Notre Dame University, Cywinski, owns Sonic rights for McHenry and Lake counties. With a corporate push to expand in Illinois, the first Sonic in the state opened in Aurora about four months ago.
Moms with kids and teenagers are the target customers for the eatery that features a drive-through, patio seating, but no indoor seating.
Cherry limeade drinks made with real limes and a cherry and regular beverages served with crushed ice rather than cubes have become popular for the chain.
Fresh made onion rings, cheeseburgers and tater tots are other favorites at the establishment, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner anytime of day. The average cost for a meal is $5.
Cywinski, 46, believes the prices and the original concept are making the chain recession resistant. The chain is growing at a time casual dining establishments are suffering with the economy.
Sonic's nostalgia separates it from other fast food options.
"Kids in minivans were screaming with excitement as they pulled up over the weekend," he said.
Growing a franchise, is not new to Cywinski. He also owns seven Dunkin' Donuts restaurants, mainly in the Fox Valley area, including locations in St. Charles, Batavia, Lake in the Hills and South Elgin.
Other primary investors in the Sonic operation include Cywinski's neighbor, Glenn Cardelli; high school buddy Scott Kus and Lake Zurich residents Tony and Virginia Dzik. Mike Fox, a 10-year Sonic veteran from North Carolina, serves as the director of operations.
The Southern brand is going over well. When Cywinski announced a job fair before the opening, he received 500 applications in two days. He hired about 100 people.
Sonic is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.