Funding made possible by three local SONICs ranking amongst Top 50 teams in the nation during 2026 DR PEPPER® SONIC® GAMES
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Nov. 5, 2026) – Public school teachers across the Little Rock area will receive a total of $30,000 in classroom funding thanks to the standout performance of three local SONIC stores. To honor the SONIC® crews for earning a spot among the Top 50 SONICs nationwide in the 2026 DR PEPPER® SONIC® GAMES, the $30,000 donation from the SONIC® Foundation is supporting educational projects on DonorsChoose, a website that allows people to donate directly to classroom requests submitted by public school teachers across the U.S.
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In addition, one out of the three local teams earned a spot among the Top 12 SONIC teams nationwide, competing for the title of the top SONIC in the country and showcasing their exceptional service and performance on a national stage.
A list of local Little Rock SONIC crews ranked in the top 50 in the nation can be found below:
- 246 Highway 425 N., Monticello, AR – Top 50
- 919 Highway 65 N., Marshall, AR – Top 50
- 2917 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, AR– Top 12
Some local Little Rock teachers and schools have already begun receiving project funding on behalf of the nearby SONIC crew. A list of recipients to date can be found HERE.
The donation is part of a nationwide effort recognizing the Top 50 teams in the 2026 DR PEPPER SONIC GAMES, SONIC’s annual training competition. The SONIC Foundation will donate a total of $500,000 to fund educational projects in communities represented by the Top 50 locations.
Each year, the DR PEPPER SONIC GAMES bring together SONIC teams from across the country to demonstrate their skills in efficiency, service and hospitality. More than 3,400 SONIC locations participated in this year’s competition, highlighting the teamwork and dedication that go into creating an exceptional guest experience.
“The DR PEPPER SONIC GAMES give our teams an opportunity to demonstrate the care, teamwork and hospitality they bring to guests every day,” said Kevin Knutson, vice president of restaurant experience at SONIC. “Celebrating their accomplishments by investing in classrooms within their own communities makes this recognition even more meaningful.”
Through its Limeades for Learning initiative, SONIC donates a portion of every drink, slush and blast purchase to the SONIC Foundation to support public education.* Since 2009, SONIC has donated more than $32 million to fund local classrooms, making Limeades for Learning one of the largest programs supporting public education in the U.S.
To learn more about the DR PEPPER SONIC GAMES and follow the teams competing from across the country, visit drpeppersonicgames.com.
*SONIC donates a portion of every drink, slush and blast purchase to the SONIC Foundation, which supports local schools in the communities SONIC serves through partners such as DonorsChoose. The SONIC Foundation is a division of the Inspire Brands Foundation. For more information, visit foundation.sonicdrivein.com.
About SONIC
SONIC, a leader in food and beverage innovation, was founded in 1953 and now has more than 3,400 restaurants in 47 states. SONIC is part of the Inspire Brands family of restaurants. For more information, visit SONICDriveIn.com and InspireBrands.com.
