Sonic Taps Company Veteran to Lead Company-Owned Restaurants

Christina Bell Vaughan Appointed President of Sonic Restaurants, Inc.

Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ: SONC), the nation’s largest chain of drive-in restaurants, announced the appointment of Christina Bell Vaughan as president of Sonic Restaurants, Inc. (SRI), the company’s wholly owned subsidiary of drive-in restaurants.

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Christina Bell Vaughan, president of Sonic Restaurants, Inc. (Photo: Business Wire)

Vaughan is a 15-year veteran of SONIC, joining the company in 2002 in field marketing. After spending a number of years in the field working on both the marketing and operations, Vaughan was appointed vice president of market strategies in 2012. In that role, she led the company’s 20/20 Drive-In initiative to convert SONIC’s 3,500-unit system to new point-of-sale and proprietary point-of-personalized service (POPS) technology. Most recently serving as vice president of franchise operations, Vaughan was responsible for leading, building and maintaining franchisee relationships in the central region of the U.S.

In her role as president of SRI, Vaughan will oversee operations, facilities, field marketing and risk management for all company-owned drive-ins. She also will serve on the executive committee of the Sonic Franchisee Advisory Council, and report directly to the company’s chief executive officer, Cliff Hudson.

“Christina is a common-sense-driven executive leader who has delivered in every position she has held with our company,” said Hudson. “She is a smart strategist, and I am delighted to see her move into such a critical position with our company. Her experience working with franchisees will pay dividends as she moves to manage our owned operations, side by side with franchise owners.”

Vaughan, originally from Kansas City, will be based in SONIC’s headquarters in Oklahoma City.

About SONIC, America’s Drive-In

SONIC, America's Drive-In is the nation's largest drive-in restaurant chain serving approximately 3 million customers every day. More than 90 percent of SONIC's 3,500 drive-in locations are owned and operated by local business men and women. For 64 years, SONIC has delighted guests with signature menu items, 1.3 million drink combinations and friendly service by iconic Carhops. Since the 2009 launch of SONIC's Limeades for Learning campaign in partnership with DonorsChoose.org, SONIC has donated $7.4 million to public school teacher’s classrooms nationwide to fund essential learning materials and innovative teaching resources to inspire creativity and learning in their students. To learn more about Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ/NM: SONC), please visit sonicdrivein.com and please visit or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. To learn about SONIC's Limeades for Learning initiative, please visit LimeadesforLearning.com.

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Sonic Corp.Christi Woodworth, 405-225-5600Vice President of Public Relations