EDMOND, Okla. -- Troy Smith Sr., the founder of Sonic, is dead at the age of 87.
Smith founded Top Hat in 1953 in Shawnee; it later became Sonic, America's Drive-in.
The company confirmed that Smith died on Monday.
In a statement to the media, the company said his daughter stated that Smith had been in declining health recently.
The company said Smith started Top Hat has a root beer stand and restaurant, but changed the concept to a drive-in later on.
Smith and his partner, Charlie Pappe, changed the name of their business to Sonic after failing to copyright the name Top Hat, according to the company.
The name Sonic was chosen because Smith was using the phrase "service with the speed of sound" as a tagline.
The company said there are now 3,600 Sonic Drive-Ins in 42 states.
Smith is survived by his wife, Dollie, a son and daughter, as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The company said a memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the First Christian Church of Edmond.
