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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July&nbsp;11, 2001  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><B> Registration No. 333-  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Washington, D.C. 20549  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>FORM S-8<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>SONIC CORP.<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Delaware</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>73-1371046</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
incorporation or organization)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification Number)</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2><B>101 Park Avenue</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><B><BR>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%"><FONT SIZE=2><B><BR>
&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Oklahoma City, Oklahoma</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>73102</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>(Zip Code)</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>1991 SONIC CORP. STOCK OPTION PLAN<BR>
2001 SONIC CORP. STOCK OPTION PLAN<BR>
2001 SONIC CORP. DIRECTORS' STOCK OPTION PLAN<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Full title of the plans) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>J. Clifford Hudson<BR>
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer<BR>
101 Park Ave.<BR>
Oklahoma City, OK 73102<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Name and address of agent for service) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Telephone: (405)&nbsp;280-7654<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE  </B></FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="34%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title of securities to be registered</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount to be registered(1)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed maximum offering price per share(2)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed maximum aggregate offering price</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount of registration fee</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>Common Stock, $.01 par value</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>3,748,733 shares</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>$29.58</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>$110,887,522</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>$27,722</FONT></TD>
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<DL compact>
<DT><FONT SIZE=2>(1)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Includes
1,648,733 shares of common stock underlying the 1991 Sonic Corp. Stock Option Plan, 1,800,000 shares underlying the 2001 Sonic Corp. Stock Option Plan and 300,000 shares
underlying the 2001 Sonic Corp. Directors' Stock Option Plan. As adjusted for three-for-two stock splits on November&nbsp;30, 2000, on July&nbsp;11, 1998 and on
July&nbsp;31, 1995, the registrant previously registered 1,813,257 shares underlying the 1991 Sonic Corp. Stock Option Plan pursuant to Form&nbsp;S-8 Registration Statement
No.&nbsp;33-40989, 987,996 shares underlying the 1991 Sonic Corp. Stock Option Plan pursuant to Form&nbsp;S-8 Registration Statement No.&nbsp;33-78576 and
213,750 shares underlying the 1991 Sonic Corp. Stock Option Plan pursuant to Form&nbsp;S-8 Registration Statement No.&nbsp;333-09373. Pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416, there are
registered hereunder an indeterminate number of additional shares of common stock, which the registrant may issue pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of
the 1991 Sonic Corp. Stock Option Plan, the 2001 Sonic Corp. Stock Option Plan and the 2001 Sonic Corp. Directors' Stock Option Plan.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(2)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Pursuant
to Rule&nbsp;457(b), the registrant has estimated the price for the purpose of calculating the registration fee based on the average of the high and low prices of the
registrant's common stock on July&nbsp;9, 2001. </FONT></DD></DL>
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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>PART I<BR>  <BR>    INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="bg1809_item_1._plan_information."> </A>
<A NAME="toc_bg1809_2"> </A></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 1.&nbsp;&nbsp;Plan Information.*    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="bg1809_item_2._registrant_information__ite02621"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_bg1809_3"> </A></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 2.&nbsp;&nbsp;Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.*    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

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<DT><FONT SIZE=2>*</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Information
required by Part&nbsp;I of Form&nbsp;S-8 to be contained in a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section&nbsp;10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933
(the "Securities Act") is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance with Rule&nbsp;428 under the Securities Act and the Note to Part&nbsp;I of Form&nbsp;S-8. </FONT></DD></DL>
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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>PART II<BR>  <BR>    INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition to shares of Sonic Corp.'s (the "Registrant") common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), issuable upon exercise of options
granted under the 2001 Sonic Corp. Stock Option Plan and the 2001 Sonic Corp. Directors' Stock Option Plan, this Registration Statement includes additional shares of the Registrant's common stock
issuable upon exercise of options granted under the 1991 Sonic Corp. Stock Option Plan. Pursuant to Instruction E of the General Instructions to Form&nbsp;S-8, the contents of the
Registrant's prior Registration Statements on Form&nbsp;S-8 relating to Common Stock issuable under the 1991 Sonic Corp. Stock Option Plan (Registration Nos. 33-40989,
33-78576 and 333-09373) are incorporated by reference herein. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="bg1809_item_3._incorporation_of_documents_by_reference."> </A>
<A NAME="toc_bg1809_5"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;Incorporation of Documents by Reference.    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant incorporates by reference in this Registration Statement the following documents filed by the Registrant with the Commission: </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;The
Registrant's annual report on Form&nbsp;10-K filed November&nbsp;22, 2000, pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or 15(d) under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;The
Registrant's quarterly reports on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the periods ended February&nbsp;28, 2001 and November&nbsp;30, 2000. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;The
description of the Registrant's Common Stock, contained in the Registrant's Form&nbsp;S-1 Registration Statement (File
No.&nbsp;33-37158), including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d)&nbsp;&nbsp;Form&nbsp;S-8
Registration Statements No.&nbsp;33-40989, 33-78576 and 333-09373. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
Registrant also hereby incorporates by reference all documents, reports and definitive proxy statements filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of
the Exchange Act subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all
securities then remaining unsold. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="bg1809_item_4._description_of_securities"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_bg1809_6"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;Description of Securities    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable. The Registrant's Common Stock has been registered under Section&nbsp;12 of the Exchange Act. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="bg1809_item_5._interests_of_named_experts_and_counsel."> </A>
<A NAME="toc_bg1809_7"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>2</FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="bg1809_item_6._indemnification_of_directors_and_officers."> </A>
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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 6.&nbsp;&nbsp;Indemnification of Directors and Officers.    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant's bylaws provide for the indemnification of the Registrant's officers and directors against certain liabilities. The Registrant's Certificate of
Incorporation also limits, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, a director's liability for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty, including gross negligence. Under Delaware law,
however, a director's liability cannot be limited for (i)&nbsp;breach of the director's duty of loyalty; (ii)&nbsp;acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of the law; (iii)&nbsp;the unlawful payment of a dividend or unlawful stock purchase redemption; or (iv)&nbsp;any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal
benefit. Delaware law does not eliminate a director's duty of care and this provision has no effect on the availability of equitable remedies such as injunction or rescission based upon a director's
breach of the duty of care. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its current directors which provide for the indemnification of and the advancement of expenses to such persons
in instances where such persons are named in any suit resulting from their tenure as a director of the Registrant. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Finally,
the Registrant has obtained a directors and officers liability insurance policy which provides for the indemnification of the Registrant's directors and officers against
liability which they may incur in their capacities as directors and officers of the Registrants. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Insofar
as the foregoing documents permit indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act, the Commission has informed the Company that, in the opinion of the
Commission, indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and, therefore, is unenforceable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="bg1809_item_7._exemption_from_registration_claimed."> </A>
<A NAME="toc_bg1809_9"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 7.&nbsp;&nbsp;Exemption from Registration Claimed.    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="bg1809_item_8._exhibits."> </A>
<A NAME="toc_bg1809_10"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 8.&nbsp;&nbsp;Exhibits.    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following are exhibits to the Form&nbsp;S-8 Registration Statement. </FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="9%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit No.</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="89%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Name of Exhibit</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
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<TD WIDTH="9%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="9%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>4.01</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2>Specimen Certificate for the Common Stock of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.01 to the Registrant's Form 10-K Annual Report for the Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 1999</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="9%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>5.01</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2>Opinion of Phillips McFall McCaffrey McVay &amp; Murrah, P.C.</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="9%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>15.01</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2>Letter re: Unaudited Financial Information</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="9%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>23.01</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2>Consent of Ernst &amp; Young, LLP</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="9%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>23.02</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2>Consent of Phillips McFall McCaffrey McVay &amp; Murrah, P.C. (included as part of Exhibit&nbsp;5.01)</FONT></TD>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="bg1809_item_9._undertakings."> </A>
<A NAME="toc_bg1809_11"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 9.&nbsp;&nbsp;Undertakings.    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: </FONT></P>

<UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;To
include any prospectus required by section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. </FONT></P>

</UL>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>3</FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2>
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation
from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule&nbsp;424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes
in
volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration Statement; </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such
information in the Registration Statement; </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT
SIZE=2><I>Provided, however,</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2> that paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by
reference in the Registration Statement; </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;To
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to
Section&nbsp;13(a) or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act)
that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at
the time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered,
the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification
by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>4</FONT></P>

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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>SIGNATURES    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant.</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form&nbsp;S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma, on this 11th day of July, 2001. </FONT></P>

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<TD COLSPAN=3><FONT SIZE=2>SONIC CORP.</FONT></TD>
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&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>W. SCOTT MCLAIN</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> W. Scott McLain<BR></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><I>Senior Vice President<BR>
and Chief Financial Officer</I></FONT></TD>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons, in the capacities and on the dates indicated. </FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Signature</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Date</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>J. CLIFFORD HUDSON</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> J. Clifford Hudson</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>July&nbsp;11, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>W. SCOTT MCLAIN</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> W. Scott McLain</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July&nbsp;11, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>KENNETH L. KEYMER</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Kenneth L. Keymer</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
President, Chief Operating Officer and Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July&nbsp;11, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>LEONARD LIEBERMAN</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Leonard Lieberman</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July 11, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>H.E. "GENE" RAINBOLT</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> H.E. "Gene" Rainbolt</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July&nbsp;11,2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>FRANK E. RICHARDSON</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Frank E. Richardson</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July&nbsp;11, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>ROBERT M. ROSENBERG</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Robert M. Rosenberg</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July&nbsp;11, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>E. DEAN WERRIES</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> E. Dean Werries</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July&nbsp;11, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>5</FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="ka1809_exhibit_index"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_ka1809_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>EXHIBIT INDEX    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TH WIDTH="8%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit<BR>
No.</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="89%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Name of Exhibit<BR> </B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="8%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>4.01</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2>Specimen Certificate for the Common Stock of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.01 to the Registrant's Form&nbsp;10-K Annual Report for the Fiscal Year Ended August&nbsp;31, 1999</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="8%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>5.01</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2>Opinion of Phillips McFall McCaffrey McVay &amp; Murrah, P.C.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="8%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>15.01</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2>Letter re: Unaudited Financial Information</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="8%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>23.01</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2>Consent of Ernst &amp; Young, LLP</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="8%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>23.02</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2>Consent of Phillips McFall McCaffrey McVay &amp; Murrah, P.C. (included as part of Exhibit&nbsp;5.01)</FONT></TD>
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<BR>
<P><br><A NAME="01DFW1809_1">QuickLinks</A><br></P><!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_bg1809_1">PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_bg1809_2">Item 1. Plan Information.</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_bg1809_3">Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_bg1809_4">PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_bg1809_5">Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_bg1809_6">Item 4. Description of Securities</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_bg1809_7">Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_bg1809_8">Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_bg1809_9">Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_bg1809_10">Item 8. Exhibits.</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_bg1809_11">Item 9. Undertakings.</A></FONT><BR>

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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_jc1809_1">SIGNATURES</A></FONT><BR>
<!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ka1809_1">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></FONT><BR>
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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "a2053978zs-8.htm", "description": "S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 32874}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "SONIC CORP", "cik": "0000868611", "assigned-sic": "5812", "irs-number": "731371046", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0831"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-64890", "film-number": "1678806"}, "business-address": {"street1": "101 PARK AVENUE", "street2": "STE 1400", "city": "OKLAHOMA CITY", "state": "OK", "zip": "73102-7202", "phone": "4052807654"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "101 PARK AVE", "street2": "14TH FLOOR", "city": "OKLAHOMA CITY", "state": "OK", "zip": "73102"}}
Prepared by MERRILL CORPORATION
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 11, 2001
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
SONIC CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
73-1371046
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
101 Park Avenue
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
73102
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
1991 SONIC CORP. STOCK OPTION PLAN
2001 SONIC CORP. STOCK OPTION PLAN
2001 SONIC CORP. DIRECTORS' STOCK OPTION PLAN
(Full title of the plans)
J. Clifford Hudson
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
101 Park Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
(Name and address of agent for service)
Telephone: (405) 280-7654
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of securities to be registered
Amount to be registered(1)
Proposed maximum offering price per share(2)
Proposed maximum aggregate offering price
Amount of registration fee
Common Stock, $.01 par value
3,748,733 shares
$29.58
$110,887,522
$27,722
(1)
Includes
1,648,733 shares of common stock underlying the 1991 Sonic Corp. Stock Option Plan, 1,800,000 shares underlying the 2001 Sonic Corp. Stock Option Plan and 300,000 shares
underlying the 2001 Sonic Corp. Directors' Stock Option Plan. As adjusted for three-for-two stock splits on November 30, 2000, on July 11, 1998 and on
July 31, 1995, the registrant previously registered 1,813,257 shares underlying the 1991 Sonic Corp. Stock Option Plan pursuant to Form S-8 Registration Statement
No. 33-40989, 987,996 shares underlying the 1991 Sonic Corp. Stock Option Plan pursuant to Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 33-78576 and
213,750 shares underlying the 1991 Sonic Corp. Stock Option Plan pursuant to Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-09373. Pursuant to Rule 416, there are
registered hereunder an indeterminate number of additional shares of common stock, which the registrant may issue pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of
the 1991 Sonic Corp. Stock Option Plan, the 2001 Sonic Corp. Stock Option Plan and the 2001 Sonic Corp. Directors' Stock Option Plan.
(2)
Pursuant
to Rule 457(b), the registrant has estimated the price for the purpose of calculating the registration fee based on the average of the high and low prices of the
registrant's common stock on July 9, 2001.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Item 1.  Plan Information.*
Item 2.  Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.*
*
Information
required by Part I of Form S-8 to be contained in a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933
(the "Securities Act") is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance with Rule 428 under the Securities Act and the Note to Part I of Form S-8.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
In addition to shares of Sonic Corp.'s (the "Registrant") common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), issuable upon exercise of options
granted under the 2001 Sonic Corp. Stock Option Plan and the 2001 Sonic Corp. Directors' Stock Option Plan, this Registration Statement includes additional shares of the Registrant's common stock
issuable upon exercise of options granted under the 1991 Sonic Corp. Stock Option Plan. Pursuant to Instruction E of the General Instructions to Form S-8, the contents of the
Registrant's prior Registration Statements on Form S-8 relating to Common Stock issuable under the 1991 Sonic Corp. Stock Option Plan (Registration Nos. 33-40989,
33-78576 and 333-09373) are incorporated by reference herein.
Item 3.  Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The Registrant incorporates by reference in this Registration Statement the following documents filed by the Registrant with the Commission:
(a)  The
Registrant's annual report on Form 10-K filed November 22, 2000, pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").
(b)  The
Registrant's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended February 28, 2001 and November 30, 2000.
(c)  The
description of the Registrant's Common Stock, contained in the Registrant's Form S-1 Registration Statement (File
No. 33-37158), including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.
(d)  Form S-8
Registration Statements No. 33-40989, 33-78576 and 333-09373.
The
Registrant also hereby incorporates by reference all documents, reports and definitive proxy statements filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of
the Exchange Act subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all
securities then remaining unsold.
Item 4.  Description of Securities
Not applicable. The Registrant's Common Stock has been registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
Item 5.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
2
Item 6.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The Registrant's bylaws provide for the indemnification of the Registrant's officers and directors against certain liabilities. The Registrant's Certificate of
Incorporation also limits, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, a director's liability for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty, including gross negligence. Under Delaware law,
however, a director's liability cannot be limited for (i) breach of the director's duty of loyalty; (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of the law; (iii) the unlawful payment of a dividend or unlawful stock purchase redemption; or (iv) any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal
benefit. Delaware law does not eliminate a director's duty of care and this provision has no effect on the availability of equitable remedies such as injunction or rescission based upon a director's
breach of the duty of care.
The
Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its current directors which provide for the indemnification of and the advancement of expenses to such persons
in instances where such persons are named in any suit resulting from their tenure as a director of the Registrant.
Finally,
the Registrant has obtained a directors and officers liability insurance policy which provides for the indemnification of the Registrant's directors and officers against
liability which they may incur in their capacities as directors and officers of the Registrants.
Insofar
as the foregoing documents permit indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act, the Commission has informed the Company that, in the opinion of the
Commission, indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and, therefore, is unenforceable.
Item 7.  Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8.  Exhibits.
The following are exhibits to the Form S-8 Registration Statement.
Exhibit No.
Name of Exhibit
4.01
Specimen Certificate for the Common Stock of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.01 to the Registrant's Form 10-K Annual Report for the Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 1999
5.01
Opinion of Phillips McFall McCaffrey McVay & Murrah, P.C.
15.01
Letter re: Unaudited Financial Information
23.01
Consent of Ernst & Young, LLP
23.02
Consent of Phillips McFall McCaffrey McVay & Murrah, P.C. (included as part of Exhibit 5.01)
Item 9.  Undertakings.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(a)  To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(1)  To
include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(2)  To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement.
3
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation
from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes
in
volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration Statement;
(3)  To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such
information in the Registration Statement;
Provided, however,
that paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by
reference in the Registration Statement;
(b)  That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and
(c)  To
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act)
that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at
the time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered,
the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification
by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
4
SIGNATURES
The Registrant.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma, on this 11th day of July, 2001.
SONIC CORP.
By:
/s/
W. SCOTT MCLAIN
W. Scott McLain
Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons, in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/
J. CLIFFORD HUDSON
J. Clifford Hudson
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
July 11, 2001
/s/
W. SCOTT MCLAIN
W. Scott McLain
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
July 11, 2001
/s/
KENNETH L. KEYMER
Kenneth L. Keymer
President, Chief Operating Officer and Director
July 11, 2001
/s/
LEONARD LIEBERMAN
Leonard Lieberman
Director
July 11, 2001
/s/
H.E. "GENE" RAINBOLT
H.E. "Gene" Rainbolt
Director
July 11,2001
/s/
FRANK E. RICHARDSON
Frank E. Richardson
Director
July 11, 2001
/s/
ROBERT M. ROSENBERG
Robert M. Rosenberg
Director
July 11, 2001
/s/
E. DEAN WERRIES
E. Dean Werries
Director
July 11, 2001
5
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
No.
Name of Exhibit
4.01
Specimen Certificate for the Common Stock of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.01 to the Registrant's Form 10-K Annual Report for the Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 1999
5.01
Opinion of Phillips McFall McCaffrey McVay & Murrah, P.C.
15.01
Letter re: Unaudited Financial Information
23.01
Consent of Ernst & Young, LLP
23.02
Consent of Phillips McFall McCaffrey McVay & Murrah, P.C. (included as part of Exhibit 5.01)
QuickLinks
PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Item 1. Plan Information.
Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.
PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
Item 4. Description of Securities
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Item 9. Undertakings.
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX