#11: Sonic

In 1953, Troy N. Smith Sr. launched a humble root beer stand in Stillwater, Oklahoma, unaware he was about to change fast food forever. His game-changing idea? A two-way telecom ordering system that let customers place orders from their cars, speeding up service and skyrocketing sales.

By 1959, trademark issues led to a name change, and Sonic Drive-In was born, perfectly matching its “Service at the Speed of Sound” slogan. What started as a small stand soon became an American icon, with carhops on roller skates and a drive-in experience that kept customers coming back for more.