Newest Threads

**Revvy** · 07-03-2011, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Want a beer with your burger?

U.S.-based fast food chains have long sold brews abroad, and now they’re getting into the act in some states, though not yet in the Bay State.

Sonic Drive-In plans to sell beer at two new South Florida locations this summer, while Burger King’s Whopper Bars in Kansas City, Las Vegas and Miami also are selling suds. Starbucks, meanwhile, has beer and wine on the menu at some of its Seattle outlets.

And there’s no Massachusetts barrier that precludes the companies from attempting the same here.

“There’s no beverage alcohol law in Massachusetts that prohibits these types of (businesses) from seeking and being granted licenses to sell alcoholic beverages,” said Jon Carlisle, spokesman for the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.

Fast-food giants might encounter hurdles at the local level, however, and so far no one has taken up the fight.

Gina Monastiero, a local Sonic franchisee with rights to build drive-ins in 41 Bay State communities, doesn’t plan to seek liquor licenses for her Peabody or Wilmington locations. “It’s just not something that I would be interested in doing,” she said.

The Oklahoma-based chain said its two South Florida eateries that will offer alcohol are Sonic Beach locations with cushioned patio seating and TVs. “We hope customers will choose to spend an extended period of time with their families and friends at Sonic Beach,” a spokeswoman said. “There is no intent to extend beer and wine availability to other Sonic Drive-Ins.”

That’s welcome news to Michael Jacobson of the Center of Science in the Public Interest. He considers alcohol sales by fast food joints a “terrible” idea that will further normalize adult drinking in the eyes of kids.

“Fifty years ago, soft drinks were a treat —something families would have on a Sunday or picnic,” he said. “One of the factors that’s changed things so much is that fast-food restaurants have become so widespread and made soft drinks the standard beverage. The same could happen with alcoholic beverages.”
-— dgoodison@bostonherald.com

Since 7-11 and I think starbucks are making their own wine and beers, I wonder how long to we'll be seeing the Kings face on a bottle of lite lager, or maybe it will be a 40?

**unionrdr** · 07-03-2011, 01:16 PM

Lolz. That makes me think of that rap song "sippin on a 40"! I can just see BK playing that over the sound system while I eat my wopper combo with a beer...

Lechien · 07-03-2011, 01:24 PM

Bad food and bad beer...perfect

**unionrdr** · 07-03-2011, 01:26 PM

Kinda funny,though. I'm sure the cops will love the opportunity.

**jkarp** · 07-03-2011, 01:38 PM

Considering Sonic is a drive-in, this poses some interesting open container issues. Still, bad beer or not, I approve of this development.

phidelt1499 · 07-03-2011, 01:42 PM

They already have that Whopper Bar in the Power & Light district if Kansas City, MO.

Although with the Flying Saucer and Gordon Biersch right across the street, I have found it hard to try a whopper with a BL....

**Airborneguy** · 07-03-2011, 04:28 PM

If this catches on it would be nice in certain situations, but I rarely eat fast food anymore so it wouldn't really affect me. Honestly, I'm surprised it took so long.

Moonpile · 07-03-2011, 06:15 PM

If I ever, "ever", order a "San Mig Light" I want one of you to kick me in the nuts. Repeatedly.

That said, some beer is better than no beer. Perhaps one day they'll have an SNPA or something else that's nice to wash down a crappy burger with.

curlyfat · 07-03-2011, 07:38 PM

I'd gladly throw back a BL with my Whopper. That's just me...

**Willum** · 07-03-2011, 07:59 PM

This will never happen in NJ; however, I work in NYC and every fast food place from Mcdonald's to Subway sells beer already. So, I guess this is old news to me.