Welcome to the IRONS Group website. The IRONS Group is an official licensed Franchisee of Sonic Drive-Ins.  We own and operate 80 Sonic Drive-Ins across the Southeast part of the United States. Our markets include Columbia, SC, Lexington KY, Greensboro, NC, and Hampton Roads, VA. 



We opened our first restaurant in Columbia, SC in 1991 and our Company Mission has always been:



"To Grow and Develop our Co-workers in order to consistently exceed customer expectations in the areas of Quality Food that Tastes Good and Fast and Friendly Service."



Even today we stay committed to that goal and pride ourselves on our many long term co-workers that have had success within our Group.  Some of our success stores include:

Steve Coppage started in 2005 as a Manager Trainee and became a Managing Supervisor in 2007.



Jon Richey started in 1997 as the Managing Partner of our Winnsboro store and became Managing Director of our Virginia stores in 2009.



Michael Gerbode started in 1999 at the age of 16 as a cook at the Sumter store and in 2003 became a Managing Partnerof McCray's Mill store.



Tammy Roberson started as a carhop in 1999 at our Sumter store  and  became a Managing Partner in 2001.


David Clement started as a Manager Trainee in 1997 and is now the Managing Director of our 21 stores in Lexington, KY.

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​Michelle Lunsford started in 1997 as a carhop and became a Managing Partner of our Lawrenceburg, KY store in 2008.

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Primary Key To Success

One of the keys to our success has always been our people. We dont look for employees, we look for PARTNERS in our business that are committed to long term development of people. And as a Partner with us, we directly reward them for their hard-work and effort.  Our Partners directly benefit financially from the piece of the business they can own and manage.   Here is a what just a few of our Partners have to say about working with our Group.



"The biggest reason I like working with our Partnership is because Im in control of my own destiny. The true feeling of entrepreneurship, being a Partner in the business, where I have the latitude to do what I see as necessary and control over my business. My efforts directly impact my success."



















Jim Thompson

Supervising Partner- Columbia
Managing Partner of the Year: 1999 & 2006 

 

"I used to be a pharmacist, but I had no one to manage, other then myself. The ability to grow and develop people is what attracted me to this profession. Managing yourself all day is no fun. The rewards of our Company, especially someone with natural managing talent, is our emphasis on people development."

Mark Langford
Director & Partner: Columbia, SC



"Its amazing to work with a group of people, thats like family, and working toward the same goal and achieving it."















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Frank Manning
Managing Partner, Farrow Road
Managing Partner of the Year 2005



In addition, we recognize and reward outstanding performance at all levels within our organization through our Masters Program and Winners Convention. For more information on our Masters Program and Winners Convention, click back to home and select the Masters Program or Winners Convention icon on the right side of the screen.

About Us