Public Relations Specialist, Sonic

Inspire • Atlanta, GA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

As a PR Specialist, Brand PR, SONIC, you will play a key support role in advancing SONIC's external communications efforts, working closely with the Brand PR team to help execute national and local PR programs. In this role, you'll support culturally relevant campaigns by assisting with earned media moments, developing press materials, coordinating brand activations, and helping manage influencer and creator initiatives. A critical focus of this position will be supporting local PR efforts across SONIC markets, including identifying and amplifying compelling franchisee, community, and local restaurant stories, supporting market-level media outreach, and helping strengthen SONIC's visibility and reputation in communities across the country. You will also serve as a key team coordinator, supporting day-to-day operations including managing timelines, tracking deliverables, assisting with invoicing and budget reconciliation, and ensuring seamless execution across projects.
The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive, with a strong interest in media, culture, and local storytelling. You have a pulse on what resonates with consumers and communities, thrive in a fast-paced, always-on environment, bring a collaborative mindset, and are eager to support multiple stakeholders including internal teams, agencies, and franchisees. This role reports to the Manager, Brand PR, SONIC and is based in Atlanta.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, or related field
• 1-3 Years of Experience in communications, public relations, marketing, agency or related field
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to support multiple projects at once and keep timelines, materials, and stakeholders on track
• Proactive and dependable, with a willingness to jump in and help bring ideas from planning through execution
• Interest in creative, culture-driven PR and community storytelling, with curiosity for what drives local engagement and earned media coverage
• Passion for staying on top of cultural trends, social media, consumer behaviors, and moments that matter to SONIC's guests
• Understanding of local media landscapes and interest in developing market-specific PR programs
• Good instincts and eagerness to learn what makes a strong PR idea and how it translates into media coverage, community impact, and business results
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft clear, accurate materials aligned to brand voice
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with agencies, franchisees, internal stakeholders, and community partners
• Collaborative mindset with a positive, team-first attitude and willingness to support wherever needed

Nice To Haves

• 10% (domestic travel for PR initiatives and media events/activations)

Responsibilities

• Support the execution of SONIC PR programs, including seasonal campaigns, menu innovation launches, partnerships, social activations, and brand initiatives. Assist Brand PR Managers with day-to-day coordination to help bring campaigns to life and ensure smooth, on-time delivery.
• Support the development and execution of local PR programs that elevate SONIC's presence in communities nationwide. Assist in identifying franchisee, crew member, and community impact stories; coordinate local market media outreach; maintain local media lists; and help develop materials that support restaurant openings, local events, charitable initiatives, and community partnerships.
• Serve as a key team coordinator, supporting essential administrative tasks for PR leadership. Responsibilities include managing calendars, scheduling meetings, maintaining PR trackers and records, routing materials for review, processing invoices, tracking budgets, and helping keep projects organized and on track.
• Support day-to-day communication with external agencies and franchise partners, helping keep workstreams moving and deliverables on schedule. Assist in gathering feedback, organizing materials, and ensuring agency ideas align with brand priorities, resonate with target audiences, and contribute to culturally relevant, business-driving PR efforts.
• Assist in drafting and editing a range of PR materials, including press releases, media pitches, franchisee communications, campaign copy, briefing documents, local media materials, and talking points. Ensure all materials are clear, accurate, and aligned with SONIC's brand voice and messaging.
• Stay updated with PR, restaurant, franchise, and cultural trends to keep SONIC at the forefront of conversations. Support campaign recaps by gathering results, tracking media coverage, monitoring local market activity, and assisting in evaluating what's working to inform ongoing improvement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level