(OKLAHOMA CITY) – Today, SONIC® Drive-In (NASDAQ: SONC), the nation’s largest chain of drive-in restaurants, announced its partnership with Julianne Hough to launch #ThanksTeach, a social media campaign to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Month and give public school teachers across America the thanks they deserve. During the month long campaign, SONIC will make donations to public school teacher projects for every post, share and retweet incorporating #ThanksTeach, for a total donation of up to $1 million.

A long time supporter of public schools, teachers and their students, SONIC Drive-In announced it will significantly increase its contribution to its Limeades for Learning program, committing $15 million over the next five years. In partnership with DonorsChoose.org, the national award-winning cause marketing campaign funds essential learning materials and innovative teaching resources requested by teachers that instill a thirst for knowledge and inspire creative thinking in their students. This new commitment more than triples the brand’s previous Limeades for Learning support to schools, having donated more than $5 million over the past seven year to 10,000 teacher projects and impacting 283,490 students in 993 cities across the U.S. during that timeframe.

“Teachers see promise in their students that they can’t yet see in themselves. Nearly 50 years ago, Mrs. Pat Watson saw leadership potential in me when I was in junior high school that was further nurtured by high school teachers that set me on a course to grow into the leader that I am today,” said Cliff Hudson, Sonic Corp. CEO. “Today, we launch a new commitment to donate $15 million over the next five years to public school teachers and their students.”

SONIC has supported teachers and schools through Limeades for Learning since 2009, and with Julianne’s help, we invite our fans and guests to join us in the #ThanksTeach campaign by sharing stories about their teachers or teachers in their lives during Teacher Appreciation Month. Together, we will celebrate teachers who made a difference to us and teachers making a difference every day in their classrooms”

For the entire month of May, SONIC guests and fans can make a difference in local communities by simply joining in the conversation online, celebrating teachers that have made a difference in their lives by using #ThanksTeach on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. For every post or share incorporating the hashtag, SONIC will donate funds towards teacher projects, up to $1 million.

“The average teacher spends $500 per year out of their own pockets to provide supplies for their students. When I heard about the #ThanksTeach campaign SONIC was launching through its Limeades for Learning program, I was thrilled at the opportunity to help show teachers our appreciation for everything they do,” said Hough. “With your help we can make this Teacher Appreciation Month particularly special by bringing $1 million in meaningful supplies to local classrooms across the country. A simple tweet or post can make a real difference for schools in your community.”

To kick off the #ThanksTeach campaign, Hough worked with Limeades for Learning to fund $100,000 worth of classroom projects to support teachers and students in the Salt Lake City area, where she attended Alta High School.

To learn more about #ThanksTeach and Limeades for Learning, visit LimeadesforLearning.com and explore local teacher projects that may be funded as a result of the campaign. Teachers interested in getting involved in Limeades for Learning and submitting a project for potential funding can register at the website as well.

About SONIC, America’s Drive-In
SONIC, America’s Drive-In is the nation’s largest drive-in restaurant chain serving more than 3 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of SONIC’s 3,500 drive-in locations are owned and operated by local business men and women. Over more than 60 years, SONIC has delighted guests with signature menu items, more than 1.3 million drink combinations and friendly service by iconic Carhops. Since the 2009 launch of SONIC’s Limeades for Learning philanthropic campaign in partnership with DonorsChoose.org, SONIC has donated more than $5 million to public school teachers nationwide to fund essential learning materials and innovative teaching resources to inspire creativity and learning. To learn more about Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ/NM: SONC), please visit sonicdrivein.com and please visit or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. To learn more about SONIC’s Limeades for Learning initiative, please visit Limeadesforlearning.com.