Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2016	Oct. 14, 2016	Feb. 29, 2016
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Aug. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	SONIC CORP.
Entity Central Index Key	0000868611
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--08-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		45,758,995
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 1,371,951,852
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No