UPTOWN — While crews were recently spotted in Uptown at the future site of a Sonic Drive-In, the fast-food chain said that construction would officially kick off Wednesday afternoon with an event to commemorate the new Sonic, which would be Chicago's first.
A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 1 p.m. at 1016 W. Wilson Ave., and will be attended by restaurant officials and local business leaders. Construction should take about three months, and the restaurant expects to hire between 75 and 100 people, according to Sonic.
A news release from the Oklahoma-based chain said the location would feature a dining room with a fireplace, free Wi-Fi, a covered patio outside, and a double drive-through with nine stalls for curbside service from skating carhops.
Sonic "is actively seeking additional locations in Chicago and expects to open several additional drive-in locations in the next five years," according to the release.
The chain also announced that Sonic franchisee Seth Wolken of BOOM Enterprises, a Sonic franchise partner in charge of seven Sonics throughout Illinois, would own and operate the new location in Uptown.
“We’ve found a great location for a new Sonic Drive-In and are happy to announce the groundbreaking. It’s an important and exciting milestone in the process,” Wolken said.
Sonic has about 3,500 drive-ins and serves about 3 million customers a day, the company said.
Sonic is known across the country for carhop service and menu items such as quarter-pound Coney dogs, Tater Tots and Cherry Limeades.
For previous coverage of Sonic Drive-In's expansion into Uptown, click here.
