The SONIC Foundation donated $10,000 on behalf of each team to fund classroom projects in their hometown

SONIC® Drive-In congratulates the teams named in the Final 12 for the 29th annual DR PEPPER® SONIC® GAMES! To celebrate this achievement and to further support the local communities where the Final 12 teams are based, the SONIC Foundation donated $10,000 in each team’s hometown to directly fund local classroom projects submitted by public school teachers through DonorsChoose. In total, the SONIC Foundation donated almost $120,000 to public schools across the Final 12 team markets, funding 169 projects across 79 schools.

The DR PEPPER® SONIC® GAMES is the brand’s premier training program. Each year, over the course of several months, numerous SONIC Drive-In teams from all over the country engage in spirited competition, participating in a diverse array of trainings, quizzes and stimulating team and individual challenges. Throughout the duration of the competition, teams’ efficiency, service, and even friendliness is rigorously evaluated and put to the ultimate test.

The 2023 Final Drive-In Teams are:

• Dunnellon, FL
  • 11351 N. Williams Street
• El Paso, TX
  • 7391 Alameda Avenue
• Gainesville, FL
  • 2162 NW 39TH Avenue
• Gladstone, Mo
  • 7112 N. Oak Trafficway
• Jasper, TN
  • 4644 Main Street
• Krum, TX
  • 1221 E. McCart Street
• North Marshall, AR
  • 919 Highway 65
• Mineola, TX
  • 311 W. Broad Street
• Ocala, FL
  • 3450 Southeast Maricamp Road
• Platte City, MO
  • 1308 Platte Falls Road
• San Angelo, TX
  • 2920 N. Bryant Boulevard
• Summertown, TN
  • 9102 Highway 20

“The DR PEPPER® SONIC GAMES is a gold standard training program we created nearly three decades ago that builds a strong store and a thriving community. These games encourage SONIC teams to strive for the best each day and offer the brand an opportunity to acknowledge participants on a personal level,” said Kevin Knutson, Vice President of Training and Operations at SONIC. “The dedication, hard work, and commitment demonstrated by each team during these Games is truly impressive, translating to increased team member and guest experience. We are thrilled to reward their efforts with a $10,000 donation on each team’s behalf to support their local schools.”

The Final 12 teams’ skills and knowledge have been put to the test since the Games began in January, with test categories ranging from food safety, guest service, and core brand values. Each team will now receive an all-expenses-paid trip to San Diego in September to attend SONIC’s Annual National Convention and compete live in front of a panel of judges, after which SONIC will announce the winning drive-in team and individual team members.

“Foundational training is the cornerstone of any food service program and our partnership with SONIC to support and sponsor their unique training program for the past three decades showcases both of our commitment to excellence,” said John Orgeron, National Account Executive for Keurig Dr Pepper, Inc. “We’re proud of the Final 12 Teams for exhibiting excellent guest service and team synergy while highlighting themselves as examples for teams all over the nation.”

Powered by the SONIC Foundation, SONIC donates a portion of all drink, slush, and shake sales to support public education through the SONIC Limeades for Learning initiative.* Since 2009, SONIC has donated more than $26 million to funding local classrooms, becoming one of the largest programs to support public education in the U.S.

Learn more about the DR PEPPER® SONIC® GAMES and the drive-in teams that are competing from across the country by visiting dpsonicgames.com or follow along with the competing teams on Instagram.

*SONIC donates a portion of every Drink, Slush, and Shake purchase to the SONIC Foundation, which is used to support local schools across the communities SONIC serves through partners like DonorsChoose. The SONIC Foundation is a division of the Inspire Brands Foundation. For more information about the SONIC Foundation, visit foundation.sonicdrivein.com.