Serving Sonic since 2003.

Troy Smith grew up in rural Oklahoma during the Great Depression. In 1948, he and his wife Dollie moved to Shawnee, Oklahoma, where he opened his first restaurant: the Cottage Café.

After managing several restaurants, Smith noticed that a small drive-in root beer stand was generating the highest profit. Recognizing its potential, he shifted focus to the drive-in, naming it Top Hat.

In 1956, businessman Charlie Pappe stopped at the Top Hat and was impressed. He partnered with Smith to expand the concept. When they discovered "Top Hat" was already copyrighted, they rebranded as Sonic — inspired by their slogan, "Service at the Speed of Sound."

By 1967, the year Charlie Pappe passed away, Sonic had grown to 41 locations — laying the foundation for one of America's most iconic drive-in restaurant chains.