Sonic Introduces The First QSR Mushroom-Blended Burger Starting Under 350 Calories

(OKLAHOMA CITY) –SONIC® Drive-In (NASDAQ: SONC) revamped the traditional American cheeseburger with its new SONIC Signature Slingers, a first of its kind in fast food. The perfect-sized cheeseburger patty is made with three simple ingredients: 100-percent pure beef blended with savory mushrooms and seasonings to create a juicy, flavorful patty that is almost too good to be true. Starting under 350 calories, the SONIC Signature Slingers lets you get away with all the flavor of a cheeseburger with none of the guilt starting at $1.99*.

“The Signature Slingers is a first-of-its–kind fast food cheeseburger, which delivers the juicy savory deliciousness you expect from a burger in a way that makes you feel like you’re getting away with something,” said Scott Uehlein, vice president of product innovation and development for SONIC. “Adding mushrooms right into the burger patty amps up the incredible flavors of the 100-percent pure beef and seasonings you get in each bite. This burger truly raises the bar for every other restaurant.”

Beginning Monday, March 5, guests can enjoy two Signature Slingers cheeseburger options to satisfy their guilt-less burger cravings. The Classic SONIC Signature Slinger is topped with fresh lettuce and tomato, diced onions, crinkle-cut dill pickles, mayo and melted American cheese served on a bakery-quality brioche bun. The Bacon Melt SONIC Signature Slinger is made with crispy bacon, layered with melted cheese and mayo served on a bakery-quality brioche bun.

"We are excited to be a partner on the new Signature Slingers, which brings together the craveability of pure beef with the juiciness of mushrooms, creating a great tasting cheeseburger that guests will only be able to get at SONIC,” said Bart Minor, president of the Mushroom Council, which provides marketing and education on behalf of the nation's mushroom growers and importers. “The trend of blending mushrooms into a burger patty has been atop a number of food trend lists this year and we can’t wait for guests to experience SONIC’s uniquely delicious creation."

Guests can pair the new SONIC Signature Slingers with a SONIC Fruit Fizz™ for the ultimate lunch, dinner or snack, but only for a limited time.

* Tax not included.  Classic SONIC Signature Slinger contains approximately 340 calories.  See menu for details.  

About SONIC®, America's Drive-In®

SONIC, America's Drive-In is the nation's largest drive-in restaurant chain serving approximately 3 million customers every day. Nearly 94 percent of SONIC's 3,500 drive-in locations are owned and operated by local business men and women. For 65 years, SONIC has delighted guests with signature menu items, 1.3 million drink combinations and friendly service by iconic Carhops. Since the 2009 launch of SONIC's Limeades for Learning philanthropic campaign in partnership withDonorsChoose.org, SONIC has donated $9.5 million to public school teachers nationwide to fund essential learning materials and innovative teaching resources to inspire creativity and learning in their students. To learn more about Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ/NM: SONC), please visit sonicdrivein.com and please visit or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. To learn more about SONIC's Limeades for Learning initiative, please visit LimeadesforLearning.com.

Source: SONIC®, America's Drive-In®