Get ready to open your windows and place an order. The first Long Island Sonic will finally open its doors in North Babylon in April.
The famed drive-in fast-food chain has eluded Long Island for over 60 years, but starting April 25 Long Islanders will get a chance to experience what many others across the country have for years.
“We are really excited to be in Long Island and definitely part of the community of North Babylon,” said Bob Fanelli, Chief Operating Officer of the franchise group.
Construction is expected to be finished around the first week of April.
The chain is in the process of hiring workers for their highly-anticipated debut. They are expecting to hire around 110 people, Fanelli said, and they have already interviewed over 400 people.
People interested in applying, he said, can apply online or visit the hiring office in a shopping center adjacent to the restaurant. Working papers are required for applicants between 16 and 18, Fanelli said. They expect to start training new employees around the third week of April.
“We expect to be really busy,” said Regan Uriarte, a Sonic General Manger from New Jersey. “We have to train a lot of people.”
And part of that training includes becoming a certified “Car Hop.”
“It’s a cool concept,” Fanelli said. “Car Hops on skates bringing food out to your car; the music is upbeat and peppy. It will take you back to being a kid.”
The beloved Sonic is best known for their “available all day long” menu–from burgers to breakfast burritos, and of course its two hour Happy Hour, starting at 2 p.m.
A unique quality of Sonic, Fanelli said, are the beverages. They have a wide variety of drinks, including: the blasts, the shakes, and real ice cream. “You can create any combination of any drink you can think of and we have it,” he said.
If customers don’t want to sit in their cars, Fanelli said people will also have the option to sit in the patio area. The patio will be heated during the winter, and as long as temperatures remain above 32 degrees, he said, the patio will still be comfortable.
Fanelli also said Sonic hopes to open more locations on Long Island, but there is no timetable set for another location.
The very first Sonic popped up in the 1950’s in Oklahoma when Troy Smith planned to open his own root beer stand but instead birthed America’s favorite drive-in restaurant!
