Topic: How To Invest

Spinoffs, Takeovers and Special Situations Hotline – Friday, October 5, 2018

Article Excerpt

SONIC CORP., $43.31, symbol SONC on Nasdaq, is a carhop-style burger chain that opened in 1953 as a root-beer stand in Shawnee, Oklahoma. It’s now the largest drive-in chain in the U.S., with 3,500 restaurants in 44 states. Carhops are waiters or waitresses who bring fast-food to customers in their cars at drive-in restaurants. On September 25, 2018, Sonic announced that it has agreed to a $2.3 billion acquisition by Inspire Brands Inc. Inspire is a privately owned multi-brand restaurant company with more than 4,700 Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings and Rusty Taco locations in the U.S. and internationally. The acquisition price is $43.50 in cash for each Sonic share. Sonic made itself more appealing to an acquirer over the last year through a number of successful measures. These included simplifying its menu, with a focus on value items. The company also shifted its marketing focus, and added new menu items. It did this to boost its appeal to women. Sonic believes women were…