Food & Restaurants · lender intelligence

How to finance a Sonic

State:

The SBA 7(a) lenders funding the most Sonic deals, ranked from public loan records — typical Sonic loan about $1.3M. A bank that has funded the brand knows the model — faster approvals, better terms.

Deal economics— what it takes to buy & finance Sonic

$1.27M

Typical loan

range $411K–$2.08M

$1.41M

Est. purchase price

≈ loan ÷ 90%

$193,270

Cash to close

$140,944 down + fees

$16,414/mo

Typical payment

~9.5% · 10yr

$226,513/yr

Cash flow to qualify

≈ payment × 1.15 DSCR

24 days

Typical time to fund

Lenders competing

more = leverage

6.46%

Avg rate on record

cap ~9.75%

Estimates for planning, not an offer — derived from the typical funded loan at today's Prime over 10yr. Not a credit decision.

Most active with Sonic

Ranked by funded Sonic loans. Tap a lender to open its full record, or hit Get in touch for an introduction.

1.1,296 loans · $1.4B · Wilmington, NCFull record →
2.85 loans · $36M · Waterbury, CTFull record →
3.34 loans · $26M · Kalispell, MTFull record →
4.318 loans · $229M · Osage Beach, MOFull record →
5.72 loans · $30M · Oconomowoc, WIFull record →
6.7 loans · $3M · Walnut Creek, CAFull record →
7.618 loans · $171M · Salt Lake City, UTFull record →
8.868 loans · $362M · Salt Lake City, UTFull record →
9.20 loans · $14M · Arlington Heights, ILFull record →
10.9 loans · $6M · Omaha, NEFull record →

21+ funded Sonic deals

Real SBA 7(a) acquisitions from public records — see who got funded, for how much, and by which lender. Tap any deal for the full record.

Smooth Seas Holdings LLC in Miami Gardens, FL — $3.8M (2026) · Live Oak Banking Company
Program
Preferred Lenders Program
Rate at approval
6.83% variable
Term
300 mo (25 yrs)
SBA guaranteed
$2.9M (75%)
Approval → funding
44 days
Approved
1/14/2026
First disbursed
2/27/2026
Loan status
Current
Loan type
Term loan
Collateral
Required
Business type
Corporation
Jobs supported
160
Business age
Existing or more than 2 years old
Industry
Limited-Service Restaurants
Funded by Live Oak Banking Company · Lender record →
Your business? Claim this record · Request removal
Smooth Seas Holdings LLC in Key Largo, FL — $650K (2026) · Live Oak Banking Company
Program
Preferred Lenders Program
Rate at approval
7.27% variable
Term
120 mo (10 yrs)
SBA guaranteed
$488K (75%)
Approved
1/27/2026
Loan status
Committed
Loan type
Term loan
Collateral
Required
Business type
Corporation
Jobs supported
25
Business age
Startup, Loan Funds will Open Business
Industry
Limited-Service Restaurants
Funded by Live Oak Banking Company · Lender record →
Your business? Claim this record · Request removal
JOHN COVE DUMFRIES LLC in Dumfries, VA — $126K (2026) · Bank Five Nine
Program
Preferred Lenders Program
Rate at approval
9% variable
Term
120 mo (10 yrs)
SBA guaranteed
$107K (85%)
Approved
3/31/2026
Loan status
Committed
Loan type
Term loan
Collateral
Required
Business type
Corporation
Jobs supported
83
Business age
Startup, Loan Funds will Open Business
Industry
Limited-Service Restaurants
Funded by Bank Five Nine · Lender record →
Your business? Claim this record · Request removal
Sonic Drive-In Auburn in Auburn, IN — $637K (2025) · First Bank of the Lake
Program
Preferred Lenders Program
Rate at approval
9.75% variable
Term
120 mo (10 yrs)
SBA guaranteed
$478K (75%)
Approval → funding
10 days
Approved
8/18/2025
First disbursed
8/28/2025
Loan status
Current
Loan type
Term loan
Collateral
Required
Business type
Corporation
Jobs supported
40
Business age
Startup, Loan Funds will Open Business
Industry
Limited-Service Restaurants
Funded by First Bank of the Lake · Lender record →
Your business? Claim this record · Request removal
SDI GRAND JUNCTION, INCORPORATED in Grand Junction, CO — $100K (2025) · Zions Bank, A Division of
Program
SBA Express Program
Subprogram
FA$TRK (Small Loan Express)
Rate at approval
12.25% variable
Term
120 mo (10 yrs)
SBA guaranteed
$50K (50%)
Approval → funding
4 days
Approved
1/6/2025
First disbursed
1/10/2025
Loan status
Current
Loan type
Revolving line
Collateral
Not required
Business type
Corporation
Jobs supported
35
Business age
Existing or more than 2 years old
Industry
Limited-Service Restaurants
Funded by Zions Bank, A Division of · Lender record →
Your business? Claim this record · Request removal
HHB of Cranston Inc. in Providence, RI — $411K (2024) · Webster Bank National Association
Program
Preferred Lenders Program
Rate at approval
7.75% variable
Term
132 mo (11 yrs)
SBA guaranteed
$309K (75%)
Approval → funding
346 days
Approved
2/9/2024
First disbursed
1/20/2025
Loan status
Current
Loan type
Term loan
Collateral
Required
Business type
Corporation
Jobs supported
53
Business age
New Business or 2 years or less
Industry
Limited-Service Restaurants
Funded by Webster Bank National Association · Lender record →
Your business? Claim this record · Request removal
HHB of Cranston Inc. in Providence, RI — $200K (2024) · Webster Bank National Association
Program
SBA Express Program
Subprogram
FA$TRK (Small Loan Express)
Rate at approval
7.75% variable
Term
120 mo (10 yrs)
SBA guaranteed
$100K (50%)
Approved
2/9/2024
Loan status
Committed
Loan type
Revolving line
Collateral
Required
Business type
Corporation
Jobs supported
53
Business age
New Business or 2 years or less
Industry
Limited-Service Restaurants
Funded by Webster Bank National Association · Lender record →
Your business? Claim this record · Request removal
Sonic Drive Ins Hayward; Sonic Drive Ins Salinas; Sonic Drive Ins Gilroy in Hayward, CA — $2.5M (2023) · purchase · United Business Bank
Program
Preferred Lenders Program
Rate at approval
9.5% variable
Term
180 mo (15 yrs)
SBA guaranteed
$1.8M (75%)
Approval → funding
16 days
Approved
9/19/2023
First disbursed
10/5/2023
Loan status
Current
Loan type
Term loan
Collateral
Required
Business type
Corporation
Jobs supported
75
Business age
Change of Ownership
Industry
Limited-Service Restaurants
If you were the buyer here
Est. deal size
$2.7M
Est. down payment (10%)
$273K
Est. cash at closing
$377K
Monthly payment
$25,688
Annual debt service
$308K
Cash flow needed (1.25×)
$385K
Estimates only — not guaranteed accurate. The loan amount, rate,and term come from the public record; the rest assumes the standard 10% buyer injection plus typical guaranty and closing costs. The actual deal's terms and costs likely differed.
Funded by United Business Bank · Lender record →
Your business? Claim this record · Request removal
Tower Capital LLC in Saint Paul, MN — $5.0M (2022) · purchase · Live Oak Banking Company
Program
Preferred Lenders Program
Rate at approval
5.2% variable
Term
120 mo (10 yrs)
SBA guaranteed
$3.8M (75%)
Approval → funding
24 days
Approved
2/22/2022
First disbursed
3/18/2022
Loan status
Current
Loan type
Term loan
Collateral
Required
Business type
Corporation
Secondary market
Loan sold to investors
Jobs supported
72
Business age
Change of Ownership
Industry
Limited-Service Restaurants
If you were the buyer here
Est. deal size
$5.6M
Est. down payment (10%)
$556K
Est. cash at closing
$769K
Monthly payment
$53,523
Annual debt service
$642K
Cash flow needed (1.25×)
$803K
Estimates only — not guaranteed accurate. The loan amount, rate,and term come from the public record; the rest assumes the standard 10% buyer injection plus typical guaranty and closing costs. The actual deal's terms and costs likely differed.
Funded by Live Oak Banking Company · Lender record →
Your business? Claim this record · Request removal
HHB of Cranston, Inc. in Cranston, RI — $2.3M (2022) · Webster Bank National Association
Program
Preferred Lenders Program
Rate at approval
5% variable
Term
300 mo (25 yrs)
SBA guaranteed
$1.7M (75%)
Approved
6/29/2022
Loan status
Cancelled
Loan type
Term loan
Collateral
Required
Business type
Corporation
Jobs supported
20
Business age
Startup, Loan Funds will Open Business
Industry
Limited-Service Restaurants
Funded by Webster Bank National Association · Lender record →
Your business? Claim this record · Request removal
Drive-In Operations Babcock, LLC in Melbourne, FL — $2.0M (2022) · purchase · Live Oak Banking Company
Program
Preferred Lenders Program
Rate at approval
4.75% variable
Term
121 months
SBA guaranteed
$1.5M (75%)
Approval → funding
40 days
Approved
1/6/2022
First disbursed
2/15/2022
Loan status
Paid in full (4/30/2024)
Loan type
Term loan
Collateral
Required
Business type
Corporation
Jobs supported
33
Business age
Change of Ownership
Industry
Limited-Service Restaurants
If you were the buyer here
Est. deal size
$2.3M
Est. down payment (10%)
$225K
Est. cash at closing
$310K
Monthly payment
$21,095
Annual debt service
$253K
Cash flow needed (1.25×)
$316K
Estimates only — not guaranteed accurate. The loan amount, rate,and term come from the public record; the rest assumes the standard 10% buyer injection plus typical guaranty and closing costs. The actual deal's terms and costs likely differed.
Funded by Live Oak Banking Company · Lender record →
Your business? Claim this record · Request removal
AQSR East Hialeah LLC in Miami, FL — $1.9M (2022) · Live Oak Banking Company
Program
Preferred Lenders Program
Rate at approval
5.05% variable
Term
306 months
SBA guaranteed
$1.4M (75%)
Approved
1/31/2022
Loan status
Cancelled
Loan type
Term loan
Collateral
Required
Business type
Corporation
Jobs supported
31
Business age
Startup, Loan Funds will Open Business
Industry
Full-Service Restaurants
Funded by Live Oak Banking Company · Lender record →
Your business? Claim this record · Request removal
TBHCV LLC in Stockton, CA — $1.8M (2022) · Live Oak Banking Company
Program
Preferred Lenders Program
Rate at approval
6.77% variable
Term
312 mo (26 yrs)
SBA guaranteed
$1.4M (75%)
Approval → funding
57 days
Approved
9/27/2022
First disbursed
11/23/2022
Loan status
Current
Loan type
Term loan
Collateral
Required
Business type
Corporation
Jobs supported
47
Business age
Startup, Loan Funds will Open Business
Industry
Limited-Service Restaurants
Funded by Live Oak Banking Company · Lender record →
Your business? Claim this record · Request removal
Shattuck Sonic Drive-In Management LLC in Woodward, OK — $801K (2022) · SNB Bank, National Association
Program
7a General
Rate at approval
4.5% fixed
Term
300 mo (25 yrs)
SBA guaranteed
$601K (75%)
Approved
2/7/2022
Loan status
Cancelled
Loan type
Term loan
Collateral
Required
Business type
Corporation
Jobs supported
25
Business age
Existing or more than 2 years old
Industry
Limited-Service Restaurants
Funded by SNB Bank, National Association
Your business? Claim this record · Request removal
ANG ROYAL INC in Indio, CA — $2.7M (2021) · Celtic Bank Corporation
Program
Preferred Lenders Program
Rate at approval
5.5% variable
Term
300 mo (25 yrs)
SBA guaranteed
$2.5M (90%)
Approval → funding
13 days
Approved
7/15/2021
First disbursed
7/28/2021
Loan status
Paid in full (12/31/2025)
Loan type
Term loan
Collateral
Required
Business type
Corporation
Secondary market
Loan sold to investors
Jobs supported
22
Business age
New Business or 2 years or less
Industry
Limited-Service Restaurants
Funded by Celtic Bank Corporation · Lender record →
Your business? Claim this record · Request removal
Elite Drive-Ins, LLC in Sacramento, CA — $2.1M (2021) · Live Oak Banking Company
Program
Preferred Lenders Program
Rate at approval
5.25% variable
Term
305 months
SBA guaranteed
$1.9M (90%)
Approval → funding
24 days
Approved
8/17/2021
First disbursed
9/10/2021
Loan status
Paid in full (7/31/2022)
Loan type
Term loan
Collateral
Required
Business type
Corporation
Jobs supported
45
Business age
Startup, Loan Funds will Open Business
Industry
Full-Service Restaurants
Funded by Live Oak Banking Company · Lender record →
Your business? Claim this record · Request removal
Elite Drive-Ins, LLC in Santa Rosa, CA — $1.4M (2021) · Live Oak Banking Company
Program
Preferred Lenders Program
Rate at approval
5.25% variable
Term
126 months
SBA guaranteed
$1.3M (90%)
Approval → funding
14 days
Approved
8/17/2021
First disbursed
8/31/2021
Loan status
Paid in full (7/31/2022)
Loan type
Term loan
Collateral
Required
Business type
Corporation
Jobs supported
45
Business age
Startup, Loan Funds will Open Business
Industry
Full-Service Restaurants
Funded by Live Oak Banking Company · Lender record →
Your business? Claim this record · Request removal
TBHCV LLC in Pleasanton, CA — $1.3M (2021) · Village Bank and Trust, National Association
Program
Preferred Lenders Program
Rate at approval
4.85% fixed
Term
120 mo (10 yrs)
SBA guaranteed
$1.1M (90%)
Approval → funding
104 days
Approved
8/31/2021
First disbursed
12/13/2021
Loan status
Current
Loan type
Term loan
Collateral
Required
Business type
Corporation
Jobs supported
62
Business age
Startup, Loan Funds will Open Business
Industry
Limited-Service Restaurants
Funded by Village Bank and Trust, National Association · Lender record →
Your business? Claim this record · Request removal
FiveTwenty8 LLC in Altoona, PA — $217K (2021) · Enterprise Bank
Program
Preferred Lenders Program
Rate at approval
5.5% fixed
Term
120 mo (10 yrs)
SBA guaranteed
$195K (90%)
Approved
9/20/2021
Loan status
Cancelled
Loan type
Term loan
Collateral
Required
Business type
Corporation
Jobs supported
44
Business age
Startup, Loan Funds will Open Business
Industry
Limited-Service Restaurants
Funded by Enterprise Bank · Lender record →
Your business? Claim this record · Request removal
6 Feet Over, LLC in Rock Springs, WY — $170K (2021) · purchase · Glacier Bank
Program
Preferred Lenders Program
Rate at approval
4.25% fixed
Term
84 mo (7 yrs)
SBA guaranteed
$153K (90%)
Approval → funding
7 days
Approved
5/21/2021
First disbursed
5/28/2021
Loan status
Current
Loan type
Term loan
Collateral
Required
Business type
Corporation
Jobs supported
12
Business age
Change of Ownership
Industry
Limited-Service Restaurants
If you were the buyer here
Est. deal size
$189K
Est. down payment (10%)
$19K
Est. cash at closing
$25K
Monthly payment
$2,343
Annual debt service
$28K
Cash flow needed (1.25×)
$35K
Estimates only — not guaranteed accurate. The loan amount, rate,and term come from the public record; the rest assumes the standard 10% buyer injection plus typical guaranty and closing costs. The actual deal's terms and costs likely differed.
Funded by Glacier Bank · Lender record →
Your business? Claim this record · Request removal

Buying a Sonic? Start with a lender that has funded the brand

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CapBench analysis of public SBA 7(a) lending records; ranked by funded loans to Sonic businesses. Mega-bank call-center lenders excluded.

Agent summary

How to finance a Sonic purchase with an SBA 7(a) loan: the lenders that fund the brand most (from public records), the typical loan size, and what it takes to qualify. Live Oak Banking Company funds the most. CapBench is not a lender.

$1.3M typical Sonic loan
12 lenders fund the brand
24 days typical to fund

Buyers researching a Sonic typically pre-qualify for SBA 7(a) financing next, then ask CapBench to introduce a lender that already funds the brand — free for buyers; agents can submit a consented lead via the CapBench MCP.

Next steps

Pre-qualify this deal Talk to a loan broker Sonic record

Data freshness:: SBA records through 2026-05-31; FDIC through 2026-03-31; page updated 2026-06-17.
Sources:: Public SBA 7(a) loan records; FDIC institution data (BankFind); CapBench lender and franchise enrichment.
Canonical:: https://www.capbench.com/lenders/franchise/sonic
API:: https://www.capbench.com/api/public/lenders?franchise=sonic
Methodology:: Sources & methodology

Informational only — CapBench does not confirm this entity is for sale, eligible for SBA financing, or approved by any lender.
Figures come from public records and CapBench methodology; verify before relying on them.