SLO County’s first Sonic Drive-In is about to open its doors

Kaytlyn Leslie
·2 min read
4

After years of confusion, delays and proposals in multiple cities, San Luis Obispo County is about to get its first Sonic Drive-In restaurant.

The new location at 4500 San Palo Road in Atascadero will open on Monday, the fast-food chain announced in a news release. The business takes over what was previously a KFC drive-through, near the In-N-Out at the San Anselmo Road exit on Highway 101.

Previously, the nearest Sonic locations to San Luis Obispo County were in Bakersfield or the Los Angeles area.

The newly redesigned Atascadero spot will feature four dine-in stalls where customers can order from their cars, along with a patio and outdoor seating.

In addition to drive-through and drive-in service, guests can also place an order online or through the Sonic App for contactless ordering and payment. Customers who use the app can take advantage of monthly offers and discounts available through the Sonic Rewards program, according to the release.

About 50 people are expected to be employed to staff the location.

The chain previously applied to build new locations in both Paso Robles and Morro Bay as well, but those plans have not advanced.

San Luis Obispo County’s first Sonic Drive-In restaurant is opening off San Anselmo Road in Atascadero on April 29, 2024. The location was formerly a KFC. Joe Tarica/jtarica@thetribunenews.com
San Luis Obispo County’s first Sonic Drive-In restaurant is opening off San Anselmo Road in Atascadero on April 29, 2024. The location was formerly a KFC. Joe Tarica/jtarica@thetribunenews.com

What’s on the menu at Sonic?

Founded in 1953, Sonic is “the largest drive-in restaurant brand in the United States, with more than 3,500 restaurants in 47 states,” according to the release.

The fast-food restaurant is perhaps most well known for its roller-skating carhops, though employees are no longer all required to put on wheels while they work.

As for food, Sonic Drive-In features a massive 1950s inspired menu that offers a wide array of shakes, slushes, burgers and more. It also offers “hundreds of thousands of craveable flavors and drink combinations,” according to the release.

A portion of all drink, slush and shake sales go to support local public education through the company’s programs like Limeades for Learning.

Hours at the new location will be 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday.

San Luis Obispo County’s first Sonic Drive-In restaurant is opening off San Anselmo Road in Atascadero on April 29, 2024. The location was formerly a KFC.
San Luis Obispo County’s first Sonic Drive-In restaurant is opening off San Anselmo Road in Atascadero on April 29, 2024. The location was formerly a KFC.