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Sonic's New $7 Premium Burger One-ups Mcdonald's and Burger King's Double Patties

By Cassandra Yorgey

Edited by Laura Ratliff

Updated Sept. 24, 2024

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What's the best burger to grab on the go? It might be Sonic's new premium burger.

Fast and casual dining restaurants have struggled to keep customers dining regularly in the face of ever-rising prices, but many chains are adding new and affordable options back to the menu to see if that will win folks back to the drive-through lines by allowing them to stretch their fast-food budget.

Sonic has launched a new "Sonic Smasher" premium burger packed with delicious flavor, with two seasoned Angus beef patties smashed for crispy edges with a juicy center.

Premium burgers are a step above typical fast food, so they tend to cost a few dollars more, but Sonic's option keeps the price low. See how it compares to other fast-food burgers.

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Sonic Smasher

Price: $6.49 (may vary by location)

Two seasoned Angus beef patties smashed for crispy edges with a juicy center, layered with melted American cheese, the creamy and tangy Smasher sauce, and pickles and onions served over a potato bun — this is the new Sonic Smasher double cheeseburger you'll need to try.

Make it a combo meal with a side of tots or fries and a medium drink for $11. (Prices may vary by location.)

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McDonald's Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese

Price: $9.29

Grabbing a classic Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese has a higher price tag than the new Sonic Smasher, but nobody is going to think of this menu staple as a "premium burger."

Making it a combo doesn't bring the price down to match Sonic, either, as it's $13.69 and adds on fries and a drink.

Burger King Double Whopper with Cheese

Price: $10.19

Burger King's famous double burger is priced higher than the new Sonic Smasher, too. It can be upgraded to a meal with fries and a soda for $14.39, but that's still not going to compare to handcrafted Sonic Smashers.

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Shake Shack Double ShackBurger

Price: $9.79

Double ShackBurgers might be the closest comparison to the new Sonic Smasher, coming on a potato bun and everything. Despite the slight price difference, they're known for their better quality burgers than McD's or Burger King.

Adding fries is $4.29, and a drink is even more because there is no value-meal option.

Bottom line

The new Sonic Smasher is priced to win, coming in lower than any competition. It'll officially be hitting the menu on Aug. 5; however, those who order through the app will have early access already, meaning they could be among the first to taste-test the Smasher and see how it holds up in the flavor department.

Sonic understands that high pricing has been keeping customers away from fast-food and fast-casual dining, and they are targeting their new menu products and pricing with that in mind.

Most people don't want to have to search for hidden restaurant discounts to grab a quality burger and fries through the drive-through; they just want reasonably priced food all the time, quick and easy.

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