KBP adds SONIC to portfolio.

The Leawood-based fast-food franchisee acquired 85 Sonic locations across six states from Boom Inc., based in Columbia, South Carolina. With 85 units, the deal is among KBP's largest acquisitions and is expected to help KBP's annual revenue surpass $1.5 billion, the company said via email. Financial details were not disclosed. The locations now are part of KBP’s Inspire Brands division, which includes more than 100 Arby’s restaurants.

KBP Brands is the fourth-largest restaurant franchisee in the U.S. based on revenue, according to Franchise Times. In addition to Sonic and Arby’s, it also operates Taco Bell and KFC locations.

With an appetite for growth, KBP has worked to diversify its business, and Sonic fits into that plan, KBP CEO Mike Kulp said.

"As we get bigger, we're going to have to be open to more and more opportunities that are outside our existing brands to find growth," he said."

Sonic stood out for several reasons. It's a healthy, growing brand with multiple fast-growing categories, including drinks, desserts and snacks. It also has a unique service model, he said.

"The way we talk about it internally is if we operate this brand better than the competition down the road, do we feel like the brand is strong enough to grow and win?" Kulp said.

KBP likes Sonic's franchisor, which has worked to develop strong internal leaders who can continue the brand's growth in the future. The acquisition deal also gave KBP access to geographies where Sonic thrives.

Moving forward, KBP Executive Vice President Mark Everett will oversee operations and growth for the Sonic locations. The addition of Sonic also creates advancement opportunities for other KBP employees, Kulp said.

KBP now operates more than 1,000 restaurants in 32 states and employs more than 21,000 people, including more than 820 people locally. Last year, its revenue climbed to $1.37 billion — ranking it No. 11 on the Kansas City Business Journal’s Private Companies List. KBP first hit the $1 billion revenue mark in 2021.

In recent years, the company invested $40 million in the build-out and land acquisition for a new Leawood headquarters building, where it occupies about 60,000 square feet across the third and fourth floors. The headquarters project won a 2024 Capstone Award in the office category.