The owner of Arby's and Buffalo Wild Wings buys Sonic for $ 2.3 billion

Sonic Drive-In, the restaurant chain known for its variety of non-alcoholic beverages and its old-style service model, has a new parent company. Inspire Brands, which also operates Arby's and Buffalo Wild Wings, is buying the channel for $ 2.3 billion, according to CNN Money, adding to its fleshy and curly fries items both beloved and disparaged of Sonic, such that Ocean Water and and a wallet filled with buffaloes.

The transaction is the latest in a fast-food consolidation trend following Burger King's takeover of Au Bon Pan by Popeye's and Panera Bread. Inspire Brands was created earlier this year after Arby acquired Buffalo Wild Wings for $ 3 billion.

In many ways, Sonic folding under the Inspire umbrella makes sense: among the BWW's culinary mashups, there are Mountain Dew-coated chicken wings and doritos citrus, both integrated in the drive-thru menu Sonic (and vice versa). Sonic's ad campaign, which features two guys who enjoy fast food in the front seat of their car, is part of Ving Rhames' "we have meat" campaign, launched in 2013 by Arby. percent over the next three years. A new series of television commercials, on the other hand, positions B-Dubs as a safe haven for football-loving men who are desperate to escape family obligations. It remains to be seen whether the "two guys" have a more macho redesign, but "Sonic is a very differentiated brand and is perfectly suited to the Inspire family," said General Manager Paul Brown at CNBC. )

In recent months, Buffalo Wild Wings sales have declined as the chain of sports bars struggled to project a clear identity. Sonic executives hope the buyout of their channel will set the tone for the business, as CNBC reports that same-store sales have been falling for two years. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

• Sonic sold to Arby's and Buffalo Wild Wings Owner for $ 2.3 billion [CNNM]• The Sonic burger chain will be acquired by Arby's parent company under a $ 2.3 billion deal. [CNBC]• How Buffalo Wild Wings turned bar food into a $ 3 billion deal [E]