How a Sonic crew’s success is improving local classrooms

BROWNSVILLE, Tenn. — A local Sonic is earning national recognition, landing in the Top 50 of the Dr. Pepper Sonic Games. But their success is also helping local classrooms.

After months of hard work, one local franchise is getting a big reward.

Sonic in Brownsville, located at 414 East Main Street, has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Sonics in the country this year.

To honor the crew, the Sonic Foundation donated $10,000 to support local area schools.

We spoke with the Brownsville Sonic’s operating partner, Kenneth Essex, who tells more on what led to their success.

“The biggest thing is consistency, great service, and great food – that’s really what the big deal is because you want, you know, Sonic to be top of mind,” Essex said. “It’s like ‘I’m hungry, where am I going to go? Let me go to that Sonic there on the main street.'”

The donation funded several classroom projects through DonorsChoose, a website that allows people to donate directly to classroom requests submitted by public school teachers.

Some of the recipients include Mrs. Lovelace and Mrs. Bailey at Haywood Elementary, Mr. Wadley and Ms. Leath at Sunny Hill Intermediate, and so much more.

“Well, for us it’s a great honor, because it’s a way for us to give back to the community, and also, it helps keep Sonic top of mind,” Essex said.

The Dr. Pepper Sonic Games is an annual training initiative that scores Sonics across the nation in efficiency, service and hospitality. Out of more than 3,100 Sonic locations nationwide, the Brownsville team has ranked in the Top 50 two years in a row.

“It’s just consistency, and it makes me feel good because it means that I’m doing something right,” Essex said.

The Sonic Foundation donated over $500,000 in September to fund educational projects in communities across the nation.

While the games are over, you can still help support local educators. Click here to learn more.

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