SONIC Drive-In to Partner with Sheryl Lee Ralph for Teacher Appreciation Week and Donate $1.5 Million to Support Public Schools on May 9

SONIC will also thank educators by offering them free Cheeseburgers with purchase

OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For Teacher Appreciation Week, SONIC® Drive-In is supporting public school teachers by teaming up with award-winning actress, Sheryl Lee Ralph, to help educators get the materials they need in the classroom. On Tuesday, May 9, the SONIC Foundation will match up to $1.5 million in donations to DonorsChoose, an education nonprofit that allows individuals to donate directly to public school classroom requests submitted by teachers across U.S. public schools. Additionally, SONIC is offering a free cheeseburger with purchase to all enrolled in SONIC Teachers’ Circle, a free rewards program exclusively for educators available through the SONIC App.*

On Tuesday, May 9, the SONIC Foundation will match 50% of each public donation to teachers’ requests on DonorsChoose, up to $1.5 million. SONIC fans and guests can visit DonorsChoose.org, where thousands of teachers have posted requests seeking support to engage students with classroom resources. They can also simply text GIVE to 31869 and receive a direct link to a teacher’s classroom in their local community.**

“Public school teachers have dedicated their lives to inspiring America’s youth, and we must ensure they have all the tools they need as they shape the hearts and minds of our children,” said Ralph. “I’m thrilled to partner with SONIC Drive-In for Teacher Appreciation Week to encourage people to come together and thank our educators by making a small contribution to get them the materials they desperately need.”

Through the SONIC Limeades for Learning initiative, the brand donates a portion of proceeds from every drink, slush and shake purchase to the SONIC Foundation, which is used to support local public education.*** Since 2009, SONIC has donated more than $24 million to funding local classrooms, becoming one of the largest programs to support public education in the U.S.

“SONIC is invested in supporting the local communities served by our more than 3,500 locations, and we’re proud of the impact we’ve made over the past 14 years through Limeades for Learning,” said Lori Abou Habib, Chief Marketing Officer of SONIC. “This Teacher Appreciation Week, I hope our SONIC guests will join us in celebrating teachers by donating to a classroom request on DonorsChoose on May 9, or by grabbing their favorite SONIC drink to have a portion of the purchase go towards helping a nearby public school.”

To further show its appreciation for educators, SONIC is offering all enrolled in SONIC’s Teachers’ Circle Rewards program a free cheeseburger with purchase beginning May 9. Any teacher, faculty or staff at a K-12 school or degree-granting university can use the SONIC App to sign up for Teachers’ Circle and start receiving additional rewards today.

Throughout the year, SONIC guests can help support teachers and students by visiting the nearest SONIC location and purchasing their favorite drink, shake or slush, and SONIC will donate a portion of proceeds back to local public schools. They can also visit DonorsChoose.org and donate directly to one or more of the thousands of public school teacher requests seeking support to provide students with educational resources.

“Teachers are facing unique challenges this school year, and yet, despite those challenges, they continue to champion our classrooms and seek out resources to benefit their students,” said Alix Guerrier, CEO of DonorsChoose. “SONIC Drive-In’s donation match on May 9 for Teacher Appreciation Week sends a clear, powerful message: we’re dedicated to uplifting our educators, and we have their back.”

Learn more about how the SONIC Foundation is sparking brighter futures for America’s Youth by visiting www.Foundation.SONICDriveIn.com.

*Reward is valid one time May 9-16, 2023 for one free SONIC Cheeseburger with any purchase online or in the SONIC App as a registered user. One reward will be issued directly to the SONIC App account of each member fully verified in Teachers’ Circle by May 9, 2023. To join SONIC Teachers’ Circle, download the SONIC app, register, open your account settings by tapping your profile icon on the bottom left of the app, then tap your name to open account settings. Under “Account,” select “I’m A Teacher” and provide your information to sign up. The program is available to educators employed by K-12 schools and colleges/universities in the United States. Once verified, Teachers’ Circle members will receive exclusive discounts and offers within the app, only available to teachers.

** By texting GIVE to 31869, you agree to receive recurring automated promotional and personalized marketing text messages (e.g. project recommendations) from DonorsChoose at the cell number used when signing up. Consent is not a condition of any purchase. Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel. Msg frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. View Terms (https://www.donorschoose.org/terms) and Privacy (https://www.donorschoose.org/privacy).

***SONIC donates a portion of every Drink, Slush, and Shake purchase to the SONIC Foundation, which is used to support local schools across the communities SONIC serves through partners like DonorsChoose. The SONIC Foundation is a division of the Inspire Brands Foundation. For more information about the SONIC Foundation, visit foundation.sonicdrivein.com.

About SONIC^® Drive-In

SONIC, founded in 1953, is the largest drive-in restaurant brand in the United States, with more than 3,500 restaurants in 47 states. SONIC is part of the Inspire Brands family of restaurants. For more information, visit SONICDriveIn.com and InspireBrands.com.