A Sonic Drive-In restaurant in Columbus that closed following a kitchen fire earlier this year is set to reopen after undergoing repairs, according to the Columbus Business Journal.
The restaurant at 3250 Olentangy River Road closed in early May after an overnight fire damaged portions of the building, including the kitchen area.
Building permits filed with the city of Columbus show plans to restore the restaurant and bring it back to its pre-fire condition.
The restoration will include reconstructing one of the kitchen walls, removing and replacing fire-damaged roof framing and restoring the roof assembly. Equipment that was not damaged by the fire will be reinstalled, while damaged or outdated equipment will be replaced.
The project will also include new plumbing, lighting, electrical devices, wiring and related components.
The location is operated by KBP Brands, a Leawood, Kansas-based franchise operator that acquired the Columbus Sonic market as part of a larger acquisition of 78 Sonic restaurants earlier this year.
KBP Brands operates more than 1,100 restaurants across 32 states, including Sonic, KFC, Taco Bell and Arby’s locations.
Sonic has six other restaurants in Central Ohio, located in Polaris, on East Broad Street, Stelzer Road, Grove City, Heath and Lancaster.
Known for its drive-in stalls, carhop service, burgers and signature slushes, Sonic first entered the Central Ohio market in 2007. The chain previously had as many as 10 area locations before its local footprint contracted.
Sonic was originally operated by a local franchisee in Central Ohio before the company acquired the Columbus market in 2019. The restaurants have since returned to franchise ownership under KBP Brands.
Founded in Oklahoma in 1953 as a Top Hat root beer stand, the company adopted the Sonic name in 1959. Sonic is now part of Inspire Brands, which also owns brands including Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Jimmy John’s, Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin’.
The permits indicate the Olentangy River Road restaurant will undergo repairs and equipment replacement, though an official reopening date has not been announced.
What Now Columbus has reached out to KBP Brands for additional information about the restoration and anticipated reopening timeline.
