Sonic Drive-In Enters Value Meal Wars With New $1.99 Menu

With more and more fast food chains hoping to lure customers in with value meals to offset the rising costs of inflation, Sonic Drive-In has thrown its hat into the ever-crowded ring with a deal that almost sounds too good to be true. And unlike many competitors that are offering limited-time deals, this one is here to stay.

Starting on Monday, July 1, a new $1.99 Menu will be available at all Sonic locations nationwide, featuring a "wide array of craveable items catering to every taste bud and budget." The chain is calling the value menu FUN.99 in honor of its newly unveiled "LIVE FREE EAT SONIC" platform, which is described as being "centered around choosing fun over the monotony of other fast-food options."

The $1.99 options feature a variety of snack, dessert, and entrée items, including a Quarter Pound Double Cheeseburger, Chili Cheese Coney, Small Tots, and 16-ounce Sonic Shakes in 12 different flavors.

As part of the rollout, the chain is also introducing two new queso wrap menu items; a Bacon Ranch Queso Wrap and Southwest Crunch Queso Wrap, both featuring crispy all-white meat chicken tenders wrapped in soft flour tortillas.

In addition to the $1.99 Menu, which is a permanent addition available all day, every day, Sonic will still continue to offer half-price drinks and slushes in the Sonic App. Likewise, app users can take advantage of half-price classic cheeseburgers on Tuesday nights, as well as exclusive monthly rewards and offers.

With the new value offerings, the chain is hoping to emphasize that delicious food doesn’t have to break the bank.

"Now more than ever, consumers are focused on affordable food options, but they shouldn’t have to settle for the same old, tired discounts or boring meals," noted Sonic Chief Marketing Officer Ryan Dickerson. "Many restaurant brands are touting value meals and discounts, and you see a lot of recycled ideas with limited options. At Sonic, we wanted to do something different—something fun—so we focused on variety."

"The FUN.99 Menu is all about choice and fun, whether you want any of our dozen shake flavors, a chili cheese coney, or our iconic tots as a midday snack," Dickerson added. "It’s all there for just $1.99."