Sonic Drive-In has reworked its $1.99 value menu with new sandwiches and drinks.
Launched at the end of June and dubbed the “Fun.99” menu.
The chain of more than 3,500 restaurants, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Inspire Brands, is bringing back the Grilled Cheese Burger that it debuted in the summer of 2021 for $2.49. Now the item — a grilled cheese sandwich made with buttered Texas toast and American cheese around a beef patty, mustard, ketchup, and diced onions — is $1.99 and is joined by small Cream Slushes as new items on the value menu. The slushes are made with vanilla soft serve added to an icy slush, available in blue coconut, strawberry, and blood orange flavors.
Also on the menu are two queso wraps that were introduced as part of the original Fun.99 menu in June, Bacon Ranch and Southwest Crunch, made with a breaded and fried chicken tender and either bacon and ranch dressing or a Southwest-inspired sauce and crunchy tortilla strips, both combined with cheddar cheese and white queso in a flour tortilla.
The value menu is rounded out with a small order of Jumbo Popcorn Chicken or small tots.
Sonic is also introducing two other specials for value-conscious customers. Medium slushes are now available for 79 cents every Monday, and a buy one, get one offer is available each Thursday for its Footlong Quarter Pound Coney hot dog, limited to one order per customer.
“We know our guests crave flexibility and value, and our $1.99 Menu continues to deliver delicious, craveable options that please the palate and your wallet,” chief marketing officer Ryan Dickerson said in a statement. “While other fast-food spots might lock you into pre-built bundles, Sonic gives you the freedom to mix, match and save on your favorite items, making it easy to tailor your order to suit your tastes. Whether you're stopping by for a quick Queso Wrap snack on the way home from work or enjoying a full lunch with our beloved Grilled Cheese Burger, Tots and Cream Slush, Sonic is giving fans a personalized experience at a price that's hard to beat..”
Trash-talking competitors is part of the branding initiative that Sonic launched in June.
The Live Free Eat Sonic campaign positions the chain as a fun and unconventional brand and highlights its unconventional offerings including hot dogs and nearly infinitely customizable beverages.
The expansion of its value menu plays into an ongoing trend in quick-service restaurants that are battling traffic declines with lower prices.
The gambit has yielded positive results for some brands, especially McDonald’s, whose $5 Meal Deal has helped it to capture market share.
Contact Bret Thorn at [email protected]
