Sonic Founder Troy Smith Dead At 87

Troy Smith, the founder of the drive up fast food chain Sonic Corp died this week, he was 87 years old.

Mr. Smith leaves behind 3,600 restaurants in 42 states, alongside a legacy as the man who introduced the intercom speaker (for orders) and covered parking for patrons.

Smith learned the restaurant business while working as a truck driver for several cafes and restaurants after exiting the Army Air Corp at the end of World War II, before starting several ventures including a steak house and root beer stand.

He was also one of the restaurant chain owners that allowed his franchise store owners to try their own menu’s while adapting changes that made sense for the times, including re-tooling the organization during the recession of the 1980’s, a strategy that allowed Sonic to survive and ultimately thrive. [BloggingStocks]