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Sonic banks on order-ahead platformSonic banks on order-ahead platform

Digital strategy puts process into customer’s hands — literally, CEO Clifford Hudson says

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

March 28, 2018

4 Min Read
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Sonic Corp. is expanding its mobile-app order-ahead technology, launched in its first full-market test earlier this month, and expects to have it systemwide by late summer, executives said Tuesday.

“We have the opportunity to really change the definition of convenience in the industry,” said Clifford Hudson, president and CEO of the Oklahoma City-based company, in a second-quarter earnings call with analysts.

The restaurant “has historically relied almost completely on a real estate framework and the question of physical locations across the market in order to provide the most convenient access for consumers,” Hudson said

But with the new order-ahead technology that customers can access anywhere in reasonable proximity to a Sonic restaurant...

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About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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