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 <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:4pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>UNITED STATES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:16pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>FORM 8-K
</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:16pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>CURRENT REPORT </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): <U><B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;October&nbsp;15,
2013</B></U><U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U> </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:16pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Delaware </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">(State or other
jurisdiction of incorporation) </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>1-13395</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>56-201079</B></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">(Commission File Number)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">(IRS Employer Identification No.)</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><B>4401 Colwick Road</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right"><B>28211&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><B>Charlotte, North Carolina</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top">(Address of principal executive offices)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">(Zip Code)</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code: <B>(704)&nbsp;566-2400</B> </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>N/A </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">(Former name or former
address, if changed since last report.) </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) </TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;5.02</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B>Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. </B></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:5%; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On October&nbsp;15, 2013, Sonic Automotive, Inc. (&#147;Sonic&#148;) appointed Bernard C. Byrd, Jr. to its Board of Directors to fill the
vacancy on the Board of Directors created upon the previously announced resignation of Mr.&nbsp;David&nbsp;C. Vorhoff. Mr.&nbsp;Vorhoff&#146;s resignation was effective simultaneously with Mr.&nbsp;Byrd&#146;s appointment. The Board appointed
Mr.&nbsp;Byrd to serve on the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. In connection with his appointment to the Board, Mr.&nbsp;Byrd also received an automatic grant of 3,170 restricted shares of Sonic&#146;s
Class&nbsp;A Common Stock effective October&nbsp;15, 2013, pursuant to the Sonic Automotive, Inc. 2012 Formula Restricted Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors. Mr.&nbsp;Byrd will also be entitled to compensation for his board and committee service
on the same terms as disclosed in &#147;Director Compensation for 2012&#148; in Sonic&#146;s Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March&nbsp;26, 2013. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:5%; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Mr.&nbsp;Byrd, 51, is an entrepreneur with more than twenty-five years of experience in a variety of business ventures. Since 2005, he has
served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Secure EDI Health Group, a healthcare technology firm. In addition, Mr.&nbsp;Byrd owns Tri Cities Restaurant Group, a company with more than 20 Wendy&#146;s franchises in Tennessee and Virginia.
From 1998 to 2006, Mr.&nbsp;Byrd founded and served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HRAmerica, Inc., a human resources outsourcing firm. Mr.&nbsp;Byrd is involved with many charitable organizations including World T.E.A.M. Sports,
Challenged Athletes Foundation and The Foundation For Tomorrow, and currently serves as a trustee for Speedway Children&#146;s Charities. Mr.&nbsp;Byrd graduated from California State Polytechnic University with a degree in Business Administration.
</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:5%; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Mr.&nbsp;Byrd is not related to Sonic&#146;s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Heath R. Byrd. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">2 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SIGNATURES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:5%; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
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<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3">SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.</TD></TR>
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<TD HEIGHT="49" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top">By:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;&nbsp;/s/ Stephen K. Coss</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Stephen K. Coss</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Senior Vice President and General Counsel</TD></TR>
</TABLE></DIV> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Dated: October&nbsp;16, 2013 </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">3 </P>

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FORM 8-K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
October 15,
2013
SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other
jurisdiction of incorporation)
1-13395
56-201079
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
4401 Colwick Road
28211
Charlotte, North Carolina
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(704) 566-2400
N/A
(Former name or former
address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:
¨
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 5.02
Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On October 15, 2013, Sonic Automotive, Inc. ("Sonic") appointed Bernard C. Byrd, Jr. to its Board of Directors to fill the
vacancy on the Board of Directors created upon the previously announced resignation of Mr. David C. Vorhoff. Mr. Vorhoff's resignation was effective simultaneously with Mr. Byrd's appointment. The Board appointed
Mr. Byrd to serve on the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. In connection with his appointment to the Board, Mr. Byrd also received an automatic grant of 3,170 restricted shares of Sonic's
Class A Common Stock effective October 15, 2013, pursuant to the Sonic Automotive, Inc. 2012 Formula Restricted Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors. Mr. Byrd will also be entitled to compensation for his board and committee service
on the same terms as disclosed in "Director Compensation for 2012" in Sonic's Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, 2013.
Mr. Byrd, 51, is an entrepreneur with more than twenty-five years of experience in a variety of business ventures. Since 2005, he has
served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Secure EDI Health Group, a healthcare technology firm. In addition, Mr. Byrd owns Tri Cities Restaurant Group, a company with more than 20 Wendy's franchises in Tennessee and Virginia.
From 1998 to 2006, Mr. Byrd founded and served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HRAmerica, Inc., a human resources outsourcing firm. Mr. Byrd is involved with many charitable organizations including World T.E.A.M. Sports,
Challenged Athletes Foundation and The Foundation For Tomorrow, and currently serves as a trustee for Speedway Children's Charities. Mr. Byrd graduated from California State Polytechnic University with a degree in Business Administration.
Mr. Byrd is not related to Sonic's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Heath R. Byrd.
2
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
By:
/s/ Stephen K. Coss
Stephen K. Coss
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Dated: October 16, 2013
3