Sonic Drive-In opens New Charleston Location near EIU Campus

Sonic Drive-In has officially opened its newest location in Charleston, Illinois, bringing its popular menu and unique drive-in experience to the community. Located at 107 W. Lincoln Ave., right next to Eastern Illinois University (EIU), the new Sonic began serving customers on Tuesday, July 23, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony the previous day.

This latest addition to the Sonic family is owned and operated by Mike James, CEO of Guernsey Holdings, who also opened a Sonic location in Taylorville earlier this year. The Charleston Sonic represents part of the franchise's ongoing expansion throughout Illinois.

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Grand Opening

The grand opening festivities kicked off on Monday, July 22, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Charleston Mayor Brandon Combs and members of the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce. The event included live music from a local DJ and allowed guests to experience the new drive-in with limited service before full operations began on Tuesday.

Now open daily from 6:00 a.m. to midnight, the Charleston Sonic offers five drive-in stalls, four order-ahead pickup stalls, and patio dining for up to 20 guests. The location's modern design, complete with an oversized Sonic logo, a tall roofline, and energy-efficient lighting, provides both style and function for the local community.

The one-of-a-kind dining experience also incorporates eye-catching elements of SONIC’s updated architectural design and visual brand identity, allowing guests to experience the new SONIC look.

First-of-its-Kind Design

The Charleston Sonic features a prototype design that represents Sonic’s updated architectural and visual branding. With a double drive-thru and other new design elements, this location is unique within the Sonic franchise.

Vince Mazzone, Senior Director of Operations for Guernsey Holdings, expressed excitement over the innovative design, noting that Charleston’s Sonic sets a new standard for future locations.

Local Job Creation

The Charleston Sonic has hired between 60 and 80 team members from the local community, contributing to job growth in the area. Those still interested in joining the Sonic team are encouraged to apply through the official Sonic careers website at https://apply.jobappnetwork.com/guernseysonic/en

“We are thrilled to bring Sonic’s well-loved menu and service to Charleston, especially to the student body at Eastern Illinois University,” said Mike James. “Whether it’s a quick bite between classes or a family meal, we’re excited to serve the community.”

A Menu with Endless Possibilities

With hundreds of thousands of customizable drink and flavor combinations, Sonic is known for its expansive menu. Charleston guests can enjoy everything from breakfast burritos and French toast sticks to Sonic’s famous burgers, hot dogs, and tots.

The Sonic app allows guests to order ahead for contactless pickup and take advantage of monthly discounts and special offers.

Supporting Local Schools

Sonic’s commitment to the community extends beyond its menu. We are committed to supporting public schools by donating a portion of proceeds from every drink, slush, and shake purchase to the SONIC Foundation, which supports local public education.* Since 2009, the SONIC Limeades for Learning initiative has raised more than $27 million for funding local classrooms, becoming one of the most extensive programs in the U.S. to support public education.