After years of rumors, false starts, and “someone saw a sign go up” speculation, it finally happened.

Sonic Drive-In has officially opened a location in Indio.

If this sounds familiar, it’s because back in 2016 there were early signs and local chatter suggesting a Sonic might be coming to the Jefferson Street and Indio Boulevard area. At the time, nothing ever materialized, and the idea quietly faded into Coachella Valley rumor lore.

So Yes, Sonic Really Is in Indio Now

The Indio Sonic has now been fully built and opened, making it the newest Sonic Drive-In location in the Coachella Valley.

For years, the only Sonic presence in the valley was in Cathedral City, which itself has a strange history (including an early fire and rebuild). Indio’s location marks a real expansion eastward, not just another rumor.

Why This Took So Long

Fast-food expansions don’t always follow a straight line. Locations get announced early, plans change, permits stall, or projects die quietly. This one just happened to take the scenic route.

If you’ve been searching “Sonic Indio” for the last decade and feeling gaslit by the internet, congratulations. You were right to be patient.

Update: This post was originally published in 2016 during early speculation about a Sonic Drive-In coming to Indio. It has been updated to reflect the confirmed opening of the Indio location.