Sonic Closes Union, Missouri Drive-In Permanently
The Union location closed after failing to make enough profit, as Sonic continues shutting down locations across the country.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Dining Out
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Sonic Drive-In has permanently closed its location at #3 Highway 50 West in Union, Missouri. The company confirmed the closure in a statement Sunday, and the Union manager announced it in a local Facebook group.
Why it matters
The closure reflects a wider pattern of Sonic restaurants shutting down, with 56 locations closing in 2025 and at least 18 more in 2026. For Union residents, it removes one of the local dining options from the area.
Sonic's Union location at #3 Highway 50 West closed permanently due to insufficient profit. Sonic still operates nearby locations in Sullivan and Washington, Missouri, and the company operates more than 3,300 restaurants nationwide.
The players
Sonic Drive-In
Sonic Drive-In is a fast-food drive-in chain founded in 1953 in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and headquartered in Oklahoma City, now operating more than 3,300 locations in the United States.
Inspire Brands
Inspire Brands is a restaurant holding company based in Sandy Springs, Georgia, that acquired Sonic in 2018.
The details
Sonic confirmed the Union closure to The Missourian in a statement, and manager Amanda Cradic announced it in a local Facebook group. The Sullivan location at 302 S. Service Road East and the Washington location at 545 E. 5th St. remain open.
Timeline
2025: 56 Sonic locations closed nationwide.
2026: At least 18 Sonic locations have closed so far.
Sunday, November 1, 2026: The Union closure was announced and confirmed.
Culture Shift
The Union closure adds to Sonic's documented wave of location shutdowns, with 56 closures in 2025 and at least 18 in 2026 already reported. It signals that the drive-in format, once a staple of American fast food, faces sustained pressure from changing dining habits and thinner margins.
Union residents who relied on the Highway 50 West Sonic will need to travel to the Sullivan or Washington locations, both still open. The closure removes one drive-in dining option from the Union area for families and drivers.
The takeaway
Diners who frequent Sonic should confirm a location is open before making a trip, since closures have accelerated in both 2025 and 2026. Checking the company's current location list before driving can avoid a wasted trip.
Further reading
Explore more local coverage in Dining Out for other restaurant openings and closures in the Union area.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Missourian.
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