SONIC Drive-In (NASDAQ: SONC), the nation’s largest chain of drive-in restaurants, presented the Troy Smith Hall of Fame Award to franchisees Linda and Dennis Clark of Encore Restaurants, Inc. at the 2013 SONIC Convention last month in San Diego. Named after SONIC’s founder, the Troy Smith Award is SONIC’s most prestigious award, and is given to a franchisee that has worked with SONIC for a noteworthy duration and has made a significant contribution in terms of leadership, growth, positive influence and brand image.
“Linda and Dennis Clark exhibit excellence and tremendous enthusiasm for the SONIC brand, and above all, they genuinely care about people,” said Clifford Hudson, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Sonic Corp. “From the beginning of their time with SONIC in 1986, they’ve focused on developing and nurturing an infrastructure filled with dynamic, committed people – an essential part of developing successful SONIC Drive-Ins.”
Based in Grapevine, Texas, Encore Restaurants, Inc. owns and operates 39 SONIC Drive-Ins in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas metroplex. Linda and Dennis work together, along with many other family members, to continually push toward the goal of providing customers with an outstanding SONIC experience. Their dedication, generosity and entrepreneurial spirit epitomize that of SONIC founder Troy Smith.
“It’s a real privilege to be in the same echelon with other people that have received this award before,” said Linda Clark, vice-president and chief financial officer of Encore Restaurants, Inc. “We are simultaneously humbled and proud, and we look forward to many more years with SONIC.”
“SONIC has been great for us and has done much for our family,” said Dennis Clark, president and chief executive officer of Encore Restaurants, Inc. “To be recognized for our work and passion for the brand and to be given the opportunity to be Troy Smith Award winners – how special is that? It’s pretty incredible.”
SONIC, America’s Drive-In, is the nation’s largest chain of drive-in restaurants with more than 3,500 drive-ins serving approximately 3 million customers every day. Over the past 60 years, SONIC has delighted guests with signature menu items, more than 1 million drink combinations, friendly service by iconic Carhops and ongoing support of education through its award-winning Limeades for Learning program. SONIC received top honors as America’s “#1 burger quick service restaurant” in the 2013 Temkin Experience Ratings report. For more information about Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ/NM: SONC) and its subsidiaries, please visit sonicdrivein.com. Customers can also connect with SONIC at facebook.com/sonicdrivein or on Twitter @sonicdrive_in.
