Sonic Automotive (SAH) 10-K17 Feb 232022 FY Annual reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Cover

Cover - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Cover - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2022	Jun. 30, 2022	Feb. 23, 2022
Document and Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2022
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-13395
Entity Registrant Name	SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001043509
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	56-2010790
Entity Address, Address Line One	4401 Colwick Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Charlotte
Entity Address, State or Province	NC
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	28211
City Area Code	704
Local Phone Number	566-2400
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	SAH
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float		$ 900
Documents Incorporated by Reference	DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCEPortions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the registrant’s 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K to the extent described herein.
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Class A Common stock
Document and Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			24,013,107
Class B Common stock
Document and Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			12,029,375

Audit Information

Audit Information	12 Months Ended
Audit Information	Dec. 31, 2022
Auditor [Line Items]
Auditor Location	Charlotte, North Carolina
Auditor Name	KPMG LLP
Auditor Firm ID	185

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 229,200	$ 299,400	$ 170,300
Receivables, net	462,400	401,100
Inventories	1,216,800	1,261,200
Other current assets	297,900	122,400
Total current assets	2,206,300	2,084,100
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	1,561,700	1,458,800
Goodwill	231,000	416,400	214,000
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	396,700	480,200
ROU assets	260,700	293,200
Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	224,100	179,900
Other Assets	97,800	62,500
Total Assets	4,978,300	4,975,100
Current Liabilities:
Notes payable - floor plan - trade	114,900	89,800
Notes payable - floor plan - non-trade	1,112,700	1,178,600
Trade accounts payable	138,400	133,300
Operating Lease, Liability, Current	36,400	36,200
Finance Lease, Liability, Current	11,100	52,700
Other accrued liabilities	352,400	350,500
Current maturities of long-term debt	79,500	50,600
Total current liabilities	1,845,400	1,891,700
Long-Term Debt	1,672,200	1,510,700
Other Long-Term Liabilities	105,500	96,000
Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent	231,400	264,800
Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent	228,600	135,500
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders’ Equity:
Class A Convertible Preferred Stock, none issued	0	0
Paid-in capital	819,400	790,200
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	1,100,300	1,051,700
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	1,600	(1,300)
Treasury stock, at cost; 33,476,159 Class A common stock shares held at December 31, 2018 and 32,290,493 Class A common stock shares held at December 31, 2017	(1,026,900)	(765,000)
Total Stockholders’ Equity	895,200	1,076,400	814,800
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	4,978,300	4,975,100
Dividends, Common Stock	27,500		12,200
Contracts in transit included in receivables, net	216,800	143,000
Manufacturer Receivables included in receivables, net	68,100	69,600
Other Receivables included in receivables, net	177,500	188,500
Retained Earnings
Stockholders’ Equity:
Total Stockholders’ Equity	1,100,300	1,051,700	$ 721,800
Class A common stock
Stockholders’ Equity:
Common stock, value	$ 700	700
Dividends, Common Stock		$ 14,200
Dividends declared per common share	$ 1.03	$ 0.46	$ 0.40
Class A common stock \| Retained Earnings
Stockholders’ Equity:
Dividends, Common Stock	$ 27,500	$ 14,200	$ 12,200
Class B common stock
Stockholders’ Equity:
Common stock, value	100	100
Dividends, Common Stock	$ 12,400	$ 4,800	$ 4,800
Dividends declared per common share	$ 1.03	$ 0.46	$ 0.40
Class B common stock \| Retained Earnings
Stockholders’ Equity:
Dividends, Common Stock	$ 12,400	$ 4,800	$ 4,800

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Convertible preferred stock issued	0
Class A common stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	67,574,922	66,501,072
Common stock, shares outstanding	24,204,324	28,692,532
Treasury stock, shares	43,370,598	37,808,540
Class B common stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	30,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	12,029,375

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 14,001,100,000	$ 12,396,400,000	$ 9,767,000,000
Cost of Sales:
Total cost of sales	(11,684,100,000)	(10,482,100,000)	(8,343,400,000)
Gross profit	2,317,000,000	1,914,300,000	1,423,600,000
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(1,555,100,000)	(1,274,700,000)	(1,028,700,000)
Impairment charges	320,400,000	100,000	270,000,000
Depreciation and amortization	(127,500,000)	(101,100,000)	(91,000,000)
Operating income	314,000,000	538,400,000	33,900,000
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, floor plan	(34,300,000)	(16,700,000)	(27,200,000)
Interest expense, other, net	(89,900,000)	(48,000,000)	(41,600,000)
Other income (expense), net	200,000	(15,500,000)	100,000
Total other income (expense)	(124,000,000)	(80,200,000)	(68,700,000)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes	190,000,000	458,200,000	(34,800,000)
Provision for income taxes for continuing operations - benefit (expense)	(101,500,000)	(109,300,000)	(15,900,000)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	88,500,000	348,900,000	(50,700,000)
Discontinued operations:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before taxes	0	0	(1,000,000)
Provision for income taxes for discontinued operations - benefit (expense)	0	0	300,000
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	0	0	(700,000)
Net income (loss)	$ 88,500,000	$ 348,900,000	$ (51,400,000)
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations (usd per share)	$ 2.29	$ 8.43	$ (1.19)
Earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations (usd per share)	0	0	(0.02)
Earnings (loss) per common share (usd per share)	$ 2.29	$ 8.43	$ (1.21)
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	38,700	41,400	42,500
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations (usd per share)	$ 2.23	$ 8.06	$ (1.19)
Earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations (usd per share)	0	0	(0.02)
Earnings (loss) per common share (usd per share)	$ 2.23	$ 8.06	$ (1.21)
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	39,700	43,300	42,500
EchoPark Total Impairment [Member]
Cost of Sales:
Impairment charges	$ 204,900,000	$ 100,000
Franchised Dealership Impairment [Member]
Cost of Sales:
Impairment charges	115,500,000		$ 270,000,000
Powersport Total Impairment
Cost of Sales:
Impairment charges	0	0	0
Total new vehicles
Revenues:
Total revenues	5,722,000,000	5,118,000,000	4,281,200,000
Cost of Sales:
Total cost of sales	(5,054,300,000)	(4,656,700,000)	(4,047,100,000)
Used vehicles
Revenues:
Total revenues	5,515,400,000	4,933,600,000	3,604,200,000
Cost of Sales:
Total cost of sales	(5,334,600,000)	(4,800,600,000)	(3,499,000,000)
Wholesale vehicles
Revenues:
Total revenues	484,900,000	367,200,000	197,400,000
Cost of Sales:
Total cost of sales	(488,000,000)	(357,300,000)	(198,300,000)
Total vehicles
Revenues:
Total revenues	11,722,300,000	10,418,800,000	8,082,800,000
Cost of Sales:
Total cost of sales	(10,876,900,000)	(9,814,600,000)	(7,744,400,000)
Parts, service and collision repair
Revenues:
Total revenues	1,599,700,000	1,340,400,000	1,194,300,000
Cost of Sales:
Total cost of sales	(807,200,000)	(667,500,000)	(599,000,000)
Finance, insurance and other, net
Revenues:
Total revenues	679,100,000	637,200,000	489,900,000
Retail New Vehicles [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	5,622,600,000	4,993,400,000	4,224,400,000
Cost of Sales:
Total cost of sales	(4,959,800,000)	(4,533,700,000)	(3,991,200,000)
Fleet New Vehicles [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	99,400,000	124,600,000	56,800,000
Cost of Sales:
Total cost of sales	$ (94,500,000)	$ (123,000,000)	$ (55,900,000)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 88,500	$ 348,900	$ (51,400)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes:
Change in fair value and amortization of interest rate cap agreements	(500)	1,500	1,500
Amortization of terminated interest rate swap agreements	0	0	(1,900)
Pension actuarial income (loss)	4,600	1,800	(1,900)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes	4,100	3,300	(2,300)
Provision for income tax benefit (expense) related to components of other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,200)	(1,000)	800
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2,900	2,300	(1,500)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 91,400	$ 351,200	$ (52,900)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Class A common stock	Class A common stock Common stock	Class A common stock Treasury Stock	Class A common stock Retained Earnings	Class B common stock	Class B common stock Common stock	Class B common stock Retained Earnings
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 944,800	$ 756,000	$ 790,200	$ (2,100)		$ 600	$ (600,000)			$ 100
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2019						64,700	33,700			12,000
Shares awarded under stock compensation plans	(100)	(200)				$ 100
Shares awarded under stock compensation plans, shares						900
Purchases of treasury stock	(71,700)						$ (71,700)
Purchases of treasury stock, shares							(2,100)
Change in fair value of interest rate swap and rate cap agreements net of tax expense	(200)			(200)
Pension accrual income, net of tax	(1,300)			(1,300)
Restricted stock amortization	11,700	11,700
Net income (loss)	(51,400)		(51,400)
Dividends declared	(12,200)							$ (12,200)	$ (4,800)		$ (4,800)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2020	814,800	767,500	721,800	(3,600)		$ 700	$ (671,700)			$ 100
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2020						65,600	35,800			12,000
Shares awarded under stock compensation plans	7,700	7,700				$ 0
Shares awarded under stock compensation plans, shares						900
Purchases of treasury stock	(93,300)						$ (93,300)
Purchases of treasury stock, shares							(2,000)
Change in fair value of interest rate swap and rate cap agreements net of tax expense	1,000			1,000
Pension accrual income, net of tax	1,300			1,300
Restricted stock amortization	15,000	15,000
Net income (loss)	348,900		348,900
Dividends declared					$ (14,200)			(14,200)	(4,800)		(4,800)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2021	1,076,400	790,200	1,051,700	(1,300)		$ 700	$ (765,000)			$ 100
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2021						66,500	37,800			12,000
Shares awarded under stock compensation plans	8,700	8,700				$ 0
Shares awarded under stock compensation plans, shares						1,100
Purchases of treasury stock	(261,900)						$ (261,900)
Purchases of treasury stock, shares							(5,600)
Change in fair value of interest rate swap and rate cap agreements net of tax expense	(400)			(400)
Pension accrual income, net of tax	3,300			3,300
Restricted stock amortization	20,500	20,500
Net income (loss)	88,500
Dividends declared	(27,500)							$ (27,500)	$ (12,400)		$ (12,400)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2022	$ 895,200	$ 819,400	$ 1,100,300	$ 1,600		$ 700	$ (1,026,900)			$ 100
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2022						67,600	43,400			12,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ST_2

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Tax expense (benefit) associated with change in pension actuarial (income) loss	$ (1,300)	$ (500)	$ 500
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Tax effect on fair value of interest rate swap and rate cap agreements	100	(500)	200
Tax expense (benefit) associated with change in pension actuarial (income) loss	$ (1,300)	$ (500)	$ 500

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 88,500,000	$ 348,900,000	$ (51,400,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	113,900,000	93,800,000	87,600,000
Debt issuance cost amortization	5,200,000	3,300,000	2,900,000
Stock-based compensation expense	20,500,000	15,000,000	11,700,000
Deferred income taxes	(12,700,000)	12,300,000	(33,700,000)
Asset impairment charges	320,400,000	100,000	270,000,000
Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Assets	(9,300,000)	12,400,000	(6,400,000)
Changes in assets and liabilities that relate to operations:
Receivables	(50,400,000)	500,000	64,800,000
Inventories	81,400,000	252,400,000	278,100,000
Other assets	(140,700,000)	55,700,000	(11,400,000)
Notes payable - floor plan - trade	25,100,000	(495,400,000)	(275,600,000)
Trade accounts payable and other liabilities	(35,800,000)	7,300,000	(55,500,000)
Total adjustments	317,600,000	(42,600,000)	332,500,000
Net cash provided by operating activities	406,100,000	306,300,000	281,100,000
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired	(102,300,000)	(1,018,900,000)	(19,700,000)
Purchases of land, property and equipment	(227,100,000)	(298,200,000)	(127,200,000)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	29,700,000	13,100,000	37,100,000
Proceeds from sales of dealerships	0	6,600,000	9,600,000
Net cash used in investing activities	(299,700,000)	(1,297,400,000)	(100,200,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net (repayments) borrowings on notes payable - floor plan - non-trade	(65,900,000)	439,600,000	60,800,000
Borrowings on revolving credit facilities	0	4,900,000	460,900,000
Repayments on revolving credit facilities	0	(4,900,000)	(460,900,000)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	327,000,000	1,166,500,000	57,900,000
Debt issuance costs	(8,100,000)	(23,100,000)	(2,700,000)
Principal payments of long-term debt	(133,500,000)	(58,300,000)	(44,900,000)
Repurchase of debt securities	0	(262,900,000)	0
Purchases of treasury stock	(261,900,000)	(93,300,000)	(71,700,000)
Issuance of shares under stock compensation plans	8,700,000	7,700,000	(100,000)
Dividends paid	(34,500,000)	(18,300,000)	(17,100,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(176,600,000)	1,120,200,000	(39,700,000)
Reduction of Finance Lease Liabilities	(8,400,000)	(37,700,000)	(21,900,000)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(70,200,000)	129,100,000	141,200,000
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR	299,400,000	170,300,000	29,100,000
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR	229,200,000	299,400,000	170,300,000
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Change in fair value of interest rate swap and rate cap agreements (net of tax expense of $460, $2,351 and $2,178 in the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively)	(400,000)	1,000,000	(200,000)
Cash paid (received) during the period for:
Income taxes	126,300,000	98,800,000	56,800,000
Interest, including amount capitalized	$ 116,900,000	$ 57,400,000	$ 69,300,000

Statement of Income (Statement)

Statement of Income (Statement) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Statement of Income (Statement) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Income Statement [Abstract]
Nonrecurring Compensation Expense	$ 6,500

Business Acquisitions and Dispo

Business Acquisitions and Dispositions - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Acquisitions and Dispositions	2. Business Acquisitions and Dispositions Acquisitions During 2022, we acquired two businesses in our Franchised Dealerships Segment and two businesses (consisting of eight locations) in our Powersports Segment for an aggregate gross purchase price (including inventory acquired and subsequently funded by floor plan notes payable) of approximately $102.3 million, including a $14.7 million impact of a post-close adjustment related to the RFJ Acquisition completed in December 2021. The allocation of the approximately $87.6 million aggregate gross purchase price for the acquisitions completed during 2022 included inventory of approximately $31.0 million, property and equipment of approximately $0.5 million, franchise assets of approximately $33.2 million, goodwill of approximately $14.1 million, real estate of approximately $8.1 million, other assets of approximately $1.1 million, and liabilities of approximately $0.4 million. During 2021, we acquired 27 franchised dealership businesses and 14 pre-owned businesses for approximately $1,018.9 million. During 2020, we acquired two pre-owned businesses for approximately $19.7 million. Results of acquired dealerships are included in our accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income commencing on the date of acquisition. Our acquisitions are accounted for such that the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recognized at their acquisition date fair values, with any excess of the consideration transferred over the estimated fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is an asset representing operational synergies and future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. The fair value of our manufacturer franchise rights are determined as of the acquisition date, by discounting the projected cash flows specific to each franchise. This analysis includes projected revenue, projected operating margin, a discount rates (and estimates in the discount rate inputs) and residual growth rates. RFJ Acquisition On December 6, 2021 (the “Closing Date”), Sonic completed the acquisition of RFJ Auto Partners, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “RFJ Auto”). On the Closing Date, RFJ Auto merged with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of Sonic, with RFJ Auto surviving the merger and becoming a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Sonic (the “RFJ Acquisition”). In connection with the RFJ Acquisition, Sonic acquired RFJ Auto, which collectively have 33 automotive retail locations in seven states and a portfolio of 16 automotive brands. Beginning on the Closing Date, the results of 22 stores acquired in the RFJ Acquisition were included in our Franchised Dealerships Segment and 11 Northwest Motorsport pre-owned vehicle stores acquired in the RFJ Acquisition were included in our EchoPark Segment. The aggregate consideration for the RFJ Acquisition was approximately $964.9 million, including a $14.7 million impact of a post-close adjustment, of which approximately $222.4 million was funded from borrowings under Sonic’s syndicated new and used vehicle floor plan credit facilities. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the purchase price is allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on information currently available. The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price based on final assessment of fair value: Summary of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (In millions) Cash $ 9.4 Receivables 31.4 Inventories 253.5 Other current assets 7.8 Property and equipment 129.7 Goodwill 177.1 Franchise assets 398.2 Total assets acquired $ 1,007.1 Trade accounts payable (5.3) Other accrued liabilities (36.9) Total liabilities assumed $ (42.2) Net assets acquired $ 964.9 We recorded approximately $0.6 million and $3.0 million of acquisition related costs during the year ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The accompanying consolidated statements of operations include revenue and net income attributable to RFJ Auto from December 6, 2021 through December 31, 2021 of approximately $215.7 million and $7.5 million, respectively. The following unaudited pro forma summary presents consolidated information as if the acquisition of RFJ Auto had occurred on January 1, 2020: Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 (In millions) Revenue $ 15,408.7 $ 12,526.0 Net income $ 393.4 $ (42.9) Dispositions We did not dispose of any businesses in 2022. We disposed of one luxury franchised dealership and terminated two mid-line import franchises in 2021, which generated net cash from dispositions of approximately $6.6 million. We disposed of one mid-line import franchised dealership and terminated two luxury franchises in 2020, which generated net cash from dispositions of approximately $9.6 million. In conjunction with dealership dispositions, we have agreed to indemnify the buyers from certain liabilities and costs arising from operations or events that occurred prior to sale but which may or may not have been known at the time of sale, including environmental liabilities and liabilities resulting from the breach of representations or warranties made under the agreements. See Note 12, “Commitments and Contingencies,” for further discussion. Revenues and other operating results associated with disposed dealerships that remain in continuing operations were as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2022 2021 2020 (In millions) Income (loss) from operations before taxes and items below $ 0.2 $ (2.2) $ (2.6) Gain (loss) on disposal of dealerships (1) — 2.3 3.1 Lease exit accrual adjustments and charges — 0.4 — Income (loss) before taxes 0.2 0.5 0.5 Total revenues $ — $ 25.5 $ 52.1 (1) Included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	$ 600	$ 3,000

Inventories and Related Notes P

Inventories and Related Notes Payable - Floor Plan	12 Months Ended
Inventories and Related Notes Payable - Floor Plan	Dec. 31, 2022
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]	Inventories and Related Notes Payable - Floor Plan Inventories consist of the following: December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 (In millions) New vehicles $ 449.3 $ 273.1 Used vehicles 534.0 807.2 Service loaners 143.8 106.3 Parts, accessories and other 89.8 74.6 Inventories $ 1,216.8 $ 1,261.2 We finance all of our new and certain of our used vehicle inventory through standardized floor plan facilities with either: (1) certain manufacturer captive finance companies or (2) a syndicate of manufacturer-affiliated finance companies and commercial banks. We also use these floor plan facilities to finance the acquisition of new and certain used vehicle inventory as part of acquisitions of dealerships. These floor plan facilities are due on demand and currently bear interest at variable rates based on either one-month Term SOFR or prime plus an additional spread, depending on the lender arrangement. The weighted-average interest rate for our new vehicle floor plan facilities was 1.09%, 0.74% and 1.72% for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Our floor plan interest expense related to the new vehicle floor plan arrangements is partially offset by amounts received from manufacturers in the form of floor plan assistance capitalized in inventory and charged against cost of sales when the associated inventory is sold. For 2022, 2021 and 2020, we recognized a reduction in cost of sales of approximately $51.5 million, $46.5 million and $40.6 million, respectively, related to manufacturer floor plan assistance. The weighted-average interest rate for our used vehicle floor plan facilities was 3.87%, 1.75% and 2.02% for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The new and used vehicle floor plan facilities are collateralized by vehicle inventory and other assets, excluding goodwill and other intangible assets, of the relevant dealership subsidiary. The new and used vehicle floor plan facilities contain a number of covenants, including, among others, covenants restricting us with respect to the creation of liens and changes in ownership, officers and key management personnel. We were in compliance with all of these restrictive covenants as of December 31, 2022.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
Property and Equipment	Dec. 31, 2022
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment Property and equipment, net consists of the following: December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 (In millions) Land $ 478.2 $ 447.4 Buildings and improvements 1,365.3 1,240.5 Furniture, fixtures and equipment 504.1 451.2 Construction in progress 57.0 68.1 Total, at cost 2,404.6 2,207.2 Less accumulated depreciation (842.9) (746.2) Subtotal 1,561.7 1,461.0 Less assets held for sale (1) — (2.2) Property and equipment, net $ 1,561.7 $ 1,458.8 (1) Classified in other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Interest capitalized in conjunction with construction projects and software development was approximately $1.6 million, $1.8 million and $0.8 million for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, commitments for facility construction projects totaled approximately $28.8 million.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Intangible Assets and Goodwill - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Intangible Assets and Goodwill - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill	Goodwill and Intangible Assets Pursuant to the applicable accounting pronouncements, we are required to evaluate the recoverability of our goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets at least annually (as of October 1 of each year) or more frequently if indications of impairment exist. We utilized the DCF method, using unobservable inputs (Level 3) to estimate Sonic’s enterprise value as of October 1, 2022 and reconciled the discounted cash flows to Sonic’s market capitalization, using quoted market price inputs (Level 1). The significant assumptions in our DCF model include projected revenues and projected operating margins, a discount rate (and estimates in the discount rate inputs), control premium factors and residual growth rates. Based on our evaluation as of October 1, 2022, we determined the carrying value of the goodwill related to our EchoPark reporting unit was greater than the fair value of the reporting unit. As a result, we recorded a non-cash pre-tax goodwill impairment charge of $202.9 million to reduce the carrying value to fair value as of December 31, 2022. After the effect of impairment charges, the carrying value of our goodwill at our franchised dealerships reporting unit and powersports reporting unit totaled approximately $231.0 million at December 31, 2022, and is included in goodwill in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of such date. In evaluating the recoverability of our indefinite lived franchise assets, we utilized a multi-period excess earnings method (“MPEEM”) model using unobservable inputs (Level 3) to estimate the fair value of the franchise assets for each of our franchises with recorded franchise assets. The significant assumptions in our MPEEM model include projected revenue, projected operating margins, a discount rate (and estimates in the discount rate inputs) and residual growth rates. As a result of our impairment testing as of October 1, 2022, we determined that several of our franchise assets’ fair values did not exceed the carrying values, resulting in a non-cash pre-tax franchise asset impairment charge of $116.4 million to reduce the carrying value to fair value as of December 31, 2022. After the effect of impairment charges, the carrying value of our franchise assets totaled approximately $396.7 million at December 31, 2022, and is included in other intangible assets, net in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of such date. The changes in the carrying amount of franchise assets and goodwill for 2022 and 2021 were as follows: Franchise Assets Net Goodwill (In millions) Balance at December 31, 2020 $ 64.3 $ 214.0 (1) Additions through current year acquisitions 415.9 204.0 (2) Reductions from dispositions — (0.2) Prior year acquisition allocations — (1.4) Balance at December 31, 2021 $ 480.2 $ 416.4 (1) Additions through current year acquisitions 33.1 14.3 Reductions from dispositions (0.2) — Reductions from impairment (116.4) (202.9) Prior year acquisition allocations — 3.2 Balance at December 31, 2022 $ 396.7 $ 231.0 (3) (1) Net of accumulated impairment losses of $1.1 billion. (2) Goodwill includes goodwill in connection with the RFJ Acquisition of approximately $123.4 million and $52.7 million allocated to the EchoPark Segment and the Franchised Dealership Segment, respectively. (3) Net of accumulated impairment losses of $1.3 billion.
Acquired RFJ Goodwill Allocated to EchoPark	$ 177,100	$ 123,400
Acquired RFJ Goodwill Allocated to Franchise		$ 52,700

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
Long-Term Debt	Dec. 31, 2022
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-term debt consists of the following: December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 (In millions) 2021 Revolving Credit Facility (1) $ — $ — 4.625% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “4.625% Notes”) 650.0 650.0 4.875% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “4.875% Notes”) 500.0 500.0 2019 Mortgage Facility (2) 327.0 90.0 Mortgage notes to finance companies - fixed rate, bearing interest from 2.05% to 7.03% 186.6 213.4 Mortgage notes to finance companies - variable rate, bearing interest at 1.50 to 2.90 percentage points above one-month or three-month LIBOR or SOFR 116.0 132.8 Subtotal $ 1,779.6 $ 1,586.2 Debt issuance costs (27.9) (24.9) Total debt 1,751.7 1,561.3 Less current maturities (79.5) (50.6) Long-term debt $ 1,672.2 $ 1,510.7 (1) The interest rate on the 2021 Revolving Credit Facility (as defined below) was 100 basis points above one-month Term SOFR at December 31, 2022 and 100 basis points above LIBOR at December 31, 2021. (2) The interest rate on the 2019 Mortgage Facility (as defined below) was 125 basis points above one-month Term SOFR at December 31, 2022 and 150 basis points above LIBOR at December 31, 2021.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Dec. 31, 2022
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The provision for income taxes for continuing operations - benefit (expense) consists of the following: Year Ended December 31, 2022 2021 2020 (In millions) Current: Federal $ (93.8) $ (80.4) $ (33.8) State (20.4) (16.6) (16.6) Total current (114.2) (97.0) (50.4) Deferred 12.7 (12.3) 34.5 Total provision for income taxes for continuing operations - benefit (expense) $ (101.5) $ (109.3) $ (15.9) The reconciliation of the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate with our federal and state overall effective income tax rate from continuing operations is as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2022 2021 2020 U.S. statutory federal income tax rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 % Effective state income tax rate 7.8 % 2.6 % (8.5) % Valuation allowance adjustments (0.8) % 0.2 % 7.5 % Uncertain tax positions (0.1) % 0.2 % (0.6) % Effect of goodwill impairment and indefinite lived intangible assets 24.9 % 0.0 % (60.2) % Non-deductible compensation 2.2 % 0.6 % (7.1) % Tax credits 0.0 % 0.0 % 7.4 % Other (1.6) % (0.7) % (5.2) % Effective income tax rate 53.4 % 23.9 % (45.7) % Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of the temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for tax purposes. Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows: December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 (In millions) Deferred tax assets: Accruals and reserves $ 33.9 $ 39.5 State net operating loss carryforwards 6.7 6.5 Basis difference in goodwill — — Basis difference in liabilities related to right-of-use assets 124.7 119.1 Other 5.0 5.8 Total deferred tax assets 170.3 170.9 Deferred tax liabilities: Basis difference in property and equipment (14.3) (11.8) Basis difference in goodwill (6.3) (27.3) Basis difference in right-of-use assets (119.3) (115.4) Other (2.8) (1.4) Total deferred tax liabilities (142.7) (155.9) Valuation allowance (5.6) (4.1) Net deferred tax asset (liability) $ 22.0 $ 10.9 Net long-term deferred tax asset balances were approximately $22.0 million and $10.9 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and are recorded in other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. We have approximately $163.6 million in gross state net operating loss carryforwards that will expire between 2023 and 2042. Management reviews these carryforward positions, the time remaining until expiration and other opportunities to realize these carryforwards in making an assessment as to whether it is more likely than not that these carryforwards will be realized. The results of future operations, regulatory framework of the taxing authorities and other related matters cannot be predicted with certainty and, therefore, differences from the assumptions used in the development of management’s judgment could occur. As of December 31, 2022, we had recorded a valuation allowance amount of approximately $5.6 million related to certain state net operating loss carryforward deferred tax assets as we determined that we would not be able to generate sufficient state taxable income in the related entities to realize the accumulated net operating loss carryforward balances. Sonic and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state jurisdictions. Sonic’s 2019 through 2022 U.S. federal income tax returns remain open to examination by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Sonic's and its subsidiaries’ state income tax returns remain open to examination by state taxing authorities for years ranging from 2018 to 2022.

Related Parties

Related Parties	12 Months Ended
Related Parties	Dec. 31, 2022
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Parties	Related Parties Certain of our dealerships purchase the zMAX micro-lubricant from Oil-Chem Research Corporation (“Oil-Chem”), a subsidiary of Speedway Motorsports, LLC (“Speedway Motorsports”), for resale to Fixed Operations guests of our dealerships in the ordinary course of business. Marcus G. Smith, a director and a greater than 10% beneficial owner of Sonic, is a director and the Chief Executive Officer and President of Speedway Motorsports and a director and an officer of Sonic Financial Corporation (“SFC”), which is the largest stockholder of Sonic; B. Scott Smith, a director and a greater than 10% beneficial owner of Sonic, is a co-owner, director and an officer of both Speedway Motorsports and SFC; Michael Hodge, a director of Sonic, is Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Assistant Treasurer of Speedway Motorsports; and William R. Brooks, a director of Sonic, is Vice Chairman of Speedway Motorsports and a director and an officer at SFC. Total purchases from Oil-Chem by our dealerships were approximately $1.1 million, $1.2 million and $1.4 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. We also engaged in other transactions with various Speedway Motorsports subsidiaries, consisting primarily of: (1) merchandise and apparel purchases from SMISC Holdings, LLC (d/b/a SMI Properties) (“SMISC”) for approximately $0.1 million, $1.5 million and $0.6 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively; and (2) vehicle sales to various Speedway Motorsports subsidiaries which were approximately $0.04 million, $0.1 million and $0.1 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. In February 2022, we entered into a Sponsorship Agreement between EchoPark Automotive, Inc., a subsidiary of Sonic (“EchoPark Automotive”), and SMISC pursuant to which EchoPark Automotive agreed to be an official sponsor of a NASCAR Cup Series race and related events scheduled to be held in March 2022 in Austin, Texas (the “NASCAR Event”). In exchange for the right to sponsor the NASCAR Event, EchoPark Automotive agreed to pay a sponsor fee of $2.5 million to SMISC. EchoPark Automotive previously paid a sponsor fee of $2.5 million to SMISC in 2021 for a similar NASCAR event held in May 2021. We participate in various aircraft-related transactions with SFC, a privately held company controlled by David Bruton Smith and his family and of which Mr. Hodge, a director of Sonic, is an officer. Such transactions include, but are not limited to, the use of aircraft owned by SFC for business-related travel by our executives, a management agreement with SFC for storage and maintenance of aircraft leased by us from unrelated third parties and the use of our aircraft for business-related travel by certain affiliates of SFC. We incurred net expenses of approximately $3.2 million, $3.1 million and $0.6 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, for transactions with SFC.

Capital Structure and Per Share

Capital Structure and Per Share Data	12 Months Ended
Capital Structure and Per Share Data	Dec. 31, 2022
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Capital Structure and Per Share Data	Capital Structure and Per Share Data Preferred Stock - We have 3,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock authorized with such designations, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors has designated 300,000 shares of preferred stock as Class A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.10 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), which is divided into 100,000 shares of Series I Preferred Stock, 100,000 shares of Series II Preferred Stock and 100,000 shares of Series III Preferred Stock. There were no shares of Preferred Stock issued or outstanding at December 31, 2022 or 2021. Common Stock - We have two classes of common stock. We have authorized 100,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock at a par value of $0.01 per share. Class A Common Stock entitles its holder to one vote per share. We have also authorized 30,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock at a par value of $0.01 per share. Class B Common Stock entitles its holder to 10 votes per share, except in certain circumstances. Each share of Class B Common Stock is convertible into one share of Class A Common Stock either upon voluntary conversion at the option of the holder, or automatically upon the occurrence of certain events, as provided in our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The two classes of common stock share equally in dividends and in the event of liquidation. Share Repurchases - Prior to December 31, 2021, our Board of Directors had authorized us to expend up to $1.0 billion to repurchase shares of our Class A Common Stock. In July 2022, our Board of Directors approved an additional $500.0 million of share repurchase authorization. As of December 31, 2022, we had repurchased a total of approximately 43.4 million shares of Class A Common Stock at an average price per share of approximately $23.68 and had redeemed and retired 13,801.5 shares of the Preferred Stock at an average price of $1,000 per share. As of December 31, 2022, we had approximately $464.3 million remaining under our Board’s share repurchase authorization. Per Share Data - The calculation of diluted earnings per share considers the potential dilutive effect of restricted stock units, restricted stock awards and stock options granted under Sonic’s stock compensation plans (and any non-forfeitable dividends paid on such awards), in addition to Class A Common Stock purchase warrants.

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans	Dec. 31, 2022
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	Employee Benefit Plans Substantially all of our employees are eligible to participate in a 401(k) plan. Matching contributions by us to our 401(k) plans were approximately $12.1 million, $10.4 million and $8.4 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Stock Compensation Plans We currently have two active stock compensation plans: the Sonic Automotive, Inc. 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”) and the Sonic Automotive, Inc. 2012 Formula Restricted Stock and Deferral Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the “2012 Formula Plan”). Collectively, these plans are referred to as the “Stock Plans.” During the second quarter of 2012, our stockholders voted to approve the 2012 Plan and the 2012 Formula Plan, with authorization for issuance of 2,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock and 300,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, respectively. During the second quarter of 2015, our stockholders voted to increase the number of shares of Class A Common Stock authorized for issuance under the 2012 Plan from 2,000,000 shares to 4,000,000 shares. During the second quarter of 2017, our stockholders voted to increase the number of shares of Class A Common Stock authorized for issuance under the 2012 Formula Plan from 300,000 shares to 500,000 shares. During the second quarter of 2019, our stockholders voted to increase the number of shares of Class A Common Stock authorized for issuance under the 2012 Plan from 4,000,000 shares to 6,000,000 shares. During the second quarter of 2021, our stockholders voted to increase the number of shares of Class A Common Stock authorized for issuance under the 2012 Plan from 6,000,000 shares to 8,000,000 shares. The Stock Plans were adopted by our Board of Directors in order to attract and retain key personnel. Under the 2012 Plan, options to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock may be granted to key employees of Sonic and its subsidiaries and to officers, directors, consultants and other individuals providing services to us. The options are granted at the fair market value of our Class A Common Stock at the date of grant, typically vest over a period of three years, are exercisable upon vesting and typically expire 10 years from the date of grant. The 2012 Plan also authorizes the issuance of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units. Restricted stock award and restricted stock unit grants under the 2012 Plan typically vest over a period ranging from one A summary of the status of the stock options related to the Stock Plans is presented below: Options Outstanding Exercise Price Per Share (Low - High) Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value (In millions, except per share data, term in years) Balance at December 31, 2021 1.8 $ 16.76 - 16.76 $ 16.76 8.3 $ 57.9 Exercised (0.5) $ 16.76 - 16.76 $ 16.76 Balance at December 31, 2022 1.2 $ 16.76 - 16.76 $ 16.76 7.3 $ 40.2 Exercisable 0.6 $ 16.76 - 16.76 $ 16.76 7.3 $ 20.6 Year Ended December 31, 2022 2021 2020 (In millions, except per option amounts) Weighted-average grant date fair value per option granted $ 4.17 $ 4.17 $ 4.17 Intrinsic value of stock options exercised $ 18.0 $ 15.4 $ — A summary of the status of the non-vested restricted stock award and restricted stock unit grants related to the Stock Plans is presented below: Non-Vested Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share (In millions, except per share data) Balance at December 31, 2021 1.5 $ 26.35 Granted 0.6 $ 49.30 Forfeited — $ 45.91 Vested (0.6) $ 22.30 Balance at December 31, 2022 1.5 $ 36.12 During 2022, approximately 547,000 restricted stock units were awarded to our executive officers and other key associates under the 2012 Plan. Awards vest over three years. The majority of the restricted stock units awarded to executive officers and other key associates are subject to forfeiture, in whole or in part, based upon continuation of employment and compliance with any restrictive covenants contained in an agreement between us and the respective executive officer or other key associate. Also in 2022, approximately 27,000 restricted stock awards were granted to our Board of Directors pursuant to the 2012 Formula Plan and vest on the earlier of the first anniversary of the grant date or the day before the next annual meeting of our stockholders, except to the extent that such grant is considered an interim grant for a newly elected non-employee director, in which case, restrictions on those shares vest on the first anniversary of the grant date. We recognized compensation expense within selling, general and administrative expenses related to stock options, restricted stock units and restricted stock awards of approximately $20.5 million, $15.0 million and $11.7 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Tax benefits recognized related to restricted stock unit and restricted stock award compensation expense were approximately $5.6 million, $4.0 million and $2.5 million for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Total compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock units and restricted stock awards not yet recognized at December 31, 2022 was approximately $38.4 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 3.6 years. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan On December 7, 2009, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors approved and adopted the Sonic Automotive, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the “SERP”) to be effective as of January 1, 2010. The SERP is a non-qualified deferred compensation plan that is unfunded for federal tax purposes. The SERP includes 13 active or former members of senior management at December 31, 2022. The purpose of the SERP is to attract and retain key members of management by providing a retirement benefit in addition to the benefits provided by our tax-qualified and other non-qualified deferred compensation plans. The following table sets forth the status of the SERP: Year Ended December 31, 2022 2021 Change in projected benefit obligation: (In millions) Obligation at January 1 $ 23.5 $ 22.5 Service cost 1.6 2.7 Interest cost 0.6 0.5 Actuarial loss (gain) (4.6) (1.8) Benefits paid (0.4) (0.4) Obligation at December 31 (1) $ 20.7 $ 23.5 Accumulated benefit obligation $ 15.5 $ 18.6 (1) As of December 31, 2022, approximately $0.4 million was included in other accrued liabilities and approximately $20.3 million was included in other long-term liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of such date. As of December 31, 2021, approximately $0.4 million was included in other accrued liabilities and approximately $23.1 million was included in other long-term liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of such date. Year Ended December 31, 2022 2021 Change in fair value of plan assets: (In millions) Plan assets at January 1 $ — $ — Actual return on plan assets — — Employer contributions 0.4 0.4 Benefits paid (0.4) (0.4) Plan assets at December 31 — — Funded status recognized $ (20.7) $ (23.5) The following table provides the cost components of the SERP: Year Ended December 31, 2022 2021 (In millions) Service cost $ 1.6 $ 2.7 Interest cost 0.6 0.5 Amortization of gain (loss) 0.0 0.1 Net pension expense (benefit) $ 2.2 $ 3.3 The weighted-average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation and net periodic benefit costs consist of: As of December 31, 2022 2021 Discount rate 4.93 % 2.60 % Rate of compensation increase 3.00 % 3.00 % The estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid for each of the next five years and the sum of the payments expected for the next five years thereafter are: Estimated Future Benefit Payments Year Ending December 31, (In millions) 2023 $ 0.4 2024 $ 0.4 2025 $ 0.4 2026 $ 0.4 2027 $ 0.5 2028 - 2032 $ 6.4 Multiemployer Benefit Plan Three of our dealership subsidiaries in northern California currently make fixed-dollar contributions to the Automotive Industries Pension Plan (the “AI Pension Plan”) pursuant to collective bargaining agreements between our subsidiaries and the International Association of Machinists (the “IAM”) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (the “IBT”). The AI Pension Plan is a “multiemployer plan” as defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and our three dealership subsidiaries are among approximately 146 employers that are obligated to make contributions to the AI Pension Plan pursuant to collective bargaining agreements with the IAM, the IBT and other unions. The risks of participating in this multiemployer pension plan are different from single-employer plans in the following aspects: • assets contributed to the multiemployer pension plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers; • if a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers; and • if we choose to stop participating in the multiemployer pension plan, we may be required to pay the plan an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability. Our participation in the AI Pension Plan for 2022, 2021 and 2020 is outlined in the table below. The “EIN/Pension Plan Number” column provides the Employee Identification Number (the “EIN”). Unless otherwise noted, the most recent Pension Protection Act of 2006 (the “PPA”) zone status available in the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 is for the plan’s year-end at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The zone status is based on information that we received from the AI Pension Plan. Among other factors, plans in the red zone are generally less than 65% funded (“Critical Status”), plans in the yellow zone are less than 80% funded and plans in the green zone are at least 80% funded. The “FIP/RP Status - Pending/Implemented” column indicates plans for which a Financial Improvement Plan (“FIP”) or a Rehabilitation Plan (“RP”) is either pending or has been implemented. The last column lists the expiration dates of the collective bargaining agreements to which the plan is subject. The number of employees covered by the AI Pension Plan decreased 8.5% from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021 and increased 4.3% from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022, affecting the period-to-period comparability of the contributions for 2022, 2021 and 2020. Pension Protection Act Zone Status FIP/RP Status Sonic Contributions Surcharge Imposed Collective Bargaining Agreement Expiration Date Pension Fund EIN/Pension Plan Number 2022 2021 Pending /Implemented Year Ended December 31, 2022 2021 2020 (In millions) AI Pension Plan 94-1133245 Red Red RP Implemented $0.2 $0.1 $0.2 Yes Between Our participating dealership subsidiaries were not listed in the AI Pension Plan’s Form 5500 as providing more than 5% of the total contributions for the plan years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. In June 2006, we received information that the AI Pension Plan was substantially underfunded as of December 31, 2005. In July 2007, we received updated information that the AI Pension Plan continued to be substantially underfunded as of December 31, 2006, with the amount of such underfunding increasing versus year end 2005. In March 2008, the Board of Trustees of the AI Pension Plan notified participants, participating employers and local unions that the AI Pension Plan’s actuary, in accordance with the requirements of the PPA, had issued a certification that the AI Pension Plan was in Critical Status effective with the plan year commencing January 1, 2008. In conjunction with the AI Pension Plan’s Critical Status, the Board of Trustees of the AI Pension Plan adopted a RP that implemented reductions or eliminations of certain adjustable benefits that were previously available under the AI Pension Plan (including some forms of early retirement benefits, and disability and death benefits, among other items), and also implemented a requirement on all participating employers to increase employer contributions to the AI Pension Plan for a seven-year period which commenced in 2013. As of April 2015, the AI Pension Plan’s actuary certified that the AI Pension Plan remained in Critical Status for the plan year commencing January 1, 2015. According to publicly available information, in September 2016, the AI Pension Plan made a formal application for approval of suspension of benefits with the U.S. Treasury Department, which, if approved by the U.S. Treasury Department, would have implemented a benefit reduction effective July 1, 2017 for participants in the AI Pension Plan. The filing included an Actuarial Certification of Plan Status as of January 1, 2016 that the AI Pension Plan previously filed with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service on March 30, 2016, which reported that the AI Pension Plan was in critical and declining status as of January 1, 2016 and further notified that the AI Pension Plan is making the scheduled progress in meeting the requirements of the plan’s previously adopted RP. The September 2016 filing with the U.S. Treasury Department also included an Actuarial Certification of Plan Solvency as of July 1, 2016 with the actuarial firm’s projection that the proposed suspensions of benefits are reasonably estimated to enable the AI Pension Plan to avoid insolvency assuming the proposed suspensions of benefits continue indefinitely. In May 2017, the U.S. Treasury Department denied the application to suspend benefits but noted that it remains willing to discuss the issues presented in the September 2016 formal application for suspension of benefits. As of April 2019, the AI Pension Plan’s actuary certified that the AI Pension Plan remained in Critical Status for the plan year commencing January 1, 2019 and is projected to become insolvent in 2031. Under applicable federal law, any employer contributing to a multiemployer pension plan that completely ceases participating in the plan while the plan is underfunded is subject to payment of such employer’s assessed share of the aggregate unfunded vested benefits of the plan. In certain circumstances, an employer can be assessed withdrawal liability for a partial withdrawal from a multiemployer pension plan. In addition, if the financial condition of the AI Pension Plan were to continue to deteriorate to the point that the AI Pension Plan is forced to terminate and be administered by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the “PBGC”), the participating employers could be subject to assessments by the PBGC to cover the participating employers’ assessed share of the unfunded vested benefits. If any of these adverse events were to occur in the future, it could result in a substantial withdrawal liability assessment to us.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements	Dec. 31, 2022
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements In determining fair value, Sonic uses various valuation approaches, including market, income and/or cost approaches. “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” in the ASC establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of Sonic. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect Sonic ’ s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows: Level 1 - Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that Sonic has the ability to access. Assets utilizing Level 1 inputs include marketable securities that are actively traded, including Sonic’s stock or public bonds. Level 2 - Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly. Assets and liabilities utilizing Level 2 inputs include cash flow swap instruments and deferred compensation plan balances. Level 3 - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Asset and liability measurements utilizing Level 3 inputs include those used in estimating fair value of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities in purchase acquisitions, those used in assessing impairment of right-of-use assets (“ROU assets”), property, plant and equipment and other intangibles, and those used in the reporting unit valuation in the goodwill impairment evaluation. The availability of observable inputs can vary and is affected by a wide variety of factors. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment required by Sonic in determining fair value is greatest for assets and liabilities categorized in Level 3. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is disclosed is determined based on the lowest level input (Level 3 being the lowest level) that is significant to the fair value measurement. Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant who holds the asset or owes the liability rather than an entity-specific measure. Therefore, even when market assumptions are not readily available, Sonic ’ s own assumptions are set to reflect those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. Sonic uses inputs that are current as of the measurement date, including during periods when the market may be abnormally high or abnormally low. Accordingly, fair value measurements can be volatile based on various factors that may or may not be within Sonic’s control. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows: Fair Value Based on Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 (In millions) Assets: Cash surrender value of life insurance policies (1) $ 38.2 $ 39.5 Total assets $ 38.2 $ 39.5 Liabilities: Deferred compensation plan (2) $ 21.1 $ 24.4 Total liabilities $ 21.1 $ 24.4 (1) Included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. (2) Included in other long-term liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Nonfinancial assets such as goodwill, other intangible assets, and long-lived assets held and used are measured at fair value when there is an indicator of impairment and recorded at fair value only when impairment is recognized or for a business combination. The fair values less costs to sell of long-lived assets or assets held for sale are assessed each reporting period they remain classified as held for sale. Subsequent changes in the held for sale long-lived asset’s or assets held for sale group’s fair value less cost to sell (increase or decrease) are reported as an adjustment to its carrying amount, except that the adjusted carrying amount cannot exceed the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or disposal group at the time it was initially classified as held for sale. The following table presents assets measured and recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021: 2022 2021 Fair Value Gain/ Fair Value Gain/ (in millions) Goodwill (1) $ — $ (202.9) $ — $ — Franchise rights and other (1) $ 254.7 $ (116.4) $ — $ — (1) See Note 5, “Goodwill and Intangible Assets.” As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the fair values of our financial instruments, including receivables, notes receivable from finance contracts, notes payable - floor plan, trade accounts payable, borrowings under the revolving credit facilities and certain mortgage notes, approximated their carrying values due either to length of maturity or existence of variable interest rates that approximate prevailing market rates. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, the fair value and carrying value of Sonic ’ s significant fixed rate long-term debt were as follows: December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value (In millions) 4.875% Notes (1) $ 390.3 $ 500.0 $ 504.8 $ 500.0 4.625% Notes (1) $ 519.5 $ 650.0 $ 655.9 $ 650.0 Mortgage Notes (2) $ 174.0 $ 186.6 $ 216.6 $ 213.4 (1) As determined by market quotations as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively (Level 2). (2) As determined by the DCF method (Level 2).

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Dec. 31, 2022
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Guarantees and Indemnification Obligations In accordance with the terms of our operating lease agreements, our dealership subsidiaries, acting as lessees, generally agree to indemnify the lessor from certain exposure arising as a result of the use of the leased premises, including environmental exposure and repairs to leased property upon termination of the lease. In addition, we have generally agreed to indemnify the lessor in the event of a breach of the lease by the lessee. In connection with dealership dispositions and facility relocations, certain of our subsidiaries have assigned or sublet to the buyer their interests in real property leases associated with such dealerships. In general, the subsidiaries retain responsibility for the performance of certain obligations under such leases, including rent payments and repairs to leased property upon termination of the lease, to the extent that the assignee or the sublessee does not perform. In the event an assignee or a sublessee does not perform its obligations, Sonic remains liable for such obligations. In accordance with the terms of agreements entered into for the sale of our dealerships, we generally agree to indemnify the buyer from certain liabilities and costs arising subsequent to the date of sale, including environmental exposure and exposure resulting from the breach of representations or warranties made in accordance with the agreements. These indemnifications typically expire within a period of one We also guarantee the floor plan commitments of our 50%-owned joint venture, and the amount of such guarantee was approximately $4.3 million at December 31, 2022. Legal Matters Sonic is involved, and expects to continue to be involved, in various legal and administrative proceedings arising out of the conduct of its business, including regulatory investigations and private civil actions brought by plaintiffs purporting to represent a potential class or for which a class has been certified. Although Sonic vigorously defends itself in all legal and administrative proceedings, the outcomes of pending and future proceedings arising out of the conduct of Sonic’s business, including litigation with customers, employment-related lawsuits, contractual disputes, class actions, purported class actions and actions brought by governmental authorities, cannot be predicted with certainty. An unfavorable resolution of one or more of these matters could have a material adverse effect on Sonic’s business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or prospects. Included in other accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 were approximately $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively, in reserves that Sonic was holding for pending proceedings. Included in other accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021 were approximately $1.5 million and $0.3 million, respectively, for such reserves. Except as reflected in such reserves, Sonic is currently unable to estimate a range of reasonably possible loss, or a range of reasonably possible loss in excess of the amount accrued, for pending proceedings.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	12 Months Ended
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Dec. 31, 2022
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows: Gains and (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges Defined Benefit Pension Plan Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (In millions) Balance at December 31, 2019 $ (1.4) $ (0.7) $ (2.1) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (1) 1.3 (1.4) (0.1) Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (2) (1.4) — (1.4) Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) (0.1) (1.4) (1.5) Balance at December 31, 2020 $ (1.5) $ (2.1) $ (3.6) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (3) 1.0 1.3 2.3 Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) — — — Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 1.0 1.3 2.3 Balance at December 31, 2021 $ (0.5) $ (0.8) $ (1.3) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (4) (0.4) 3.3 2.9 Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) — — — Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) (0.4) 3.3 2.9 Balance at December 31, 2022 $ (0.9) $ 2.5 $ 1.6 (1) Net of tax expense of $0.3 million related to gains on cash flow hedges and tax benefit of $0.5 million related to the defined benefit pension plan. (2) Net of tax benefit of $0.6 million related to gains on cash flow hedges. (3) Net of tax expense of $0.5 million related to gains on cash flow hedges and tax expense of $0.5 million related to the defined benefit pension plan. (4) Net of tax benefit of $0.1 million related to losses on cash flow hedges and tax expense of $1.3 million related to the defined benefit pension plan. See the heading “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” in Note 6, “Long-Term Debt,” for further discussion of our cash flow hedges. For further discussion of our defined benefit pension plan, see Note 10, “Employee Benefit Plans.”

Segment Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
Segment Information	Dec. 31, 2022
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information As of December 31, 2022, Sonic had three operating segments: (1) the Franchised Dealerships Segment; (2) the EchoPark Segment; and (3) the Powersports Segment. Refer to Note 1, “Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” for additional discussion of our operating segments. Sonic has determined that its operating segments also represent its reportable segments. The reportable segments identified above are the business activities of Sonic for which discrete financial information is available and for which operating results are regularly reviewed by Sonic ’ s chief operating decision maker to assess operating performance and allocate resources. Sonic’s chief operating decision maker is a group of three individuals consisting of: (1) the Company’s Chief Executive Officer; (2) the Company’s President; and (3) the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. Reportable segment financial information for the three years ended December 31, 2022 were as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2022 2021 2020 Segment Revenues: (In millions) Franchised Dealerships Segment Revenues: Retail new vehicles $ 5,581.6 $ 4,984.4 $ 4,224.4 Fleet new vehicles 99.4 124.6 56.8 Total new vehicles $ 5,681.0 $ 5,109.0 $ 4,281.2 Used vehicles 3,391.5 2,901.0 2,345.9 Wholesale vehicles 314.0 257.2 168.7 Parts, service and collision repair 1,588.0 1,340.4 1,194.4 Finance, insurance and other, net 510.1 443.5 357.8 Franchised Dealerships Segment revenues $ 11,484.6 $ 10,051.1 $ 8,348.0 EchoPark Segment Revenues: Retail new vehicles $ 9.2 $ 9.0 $ — Used vehicles 2,116.8 2,032.6 1,258.2 Wholesale vehicles 170.6 110.0 28.7 Finance, insurance and other, net 166.4 193.7 132.1 EchoPark Segment revenues $ 2,463.0 $ 2,345.3 $ 1,419.0 Powersports Segment Revenues: Retail new vehicles $ 31.8 $ — $ — Used vehicles 7.1 — — Wholesale vehicles 0.3 — — Parts, service and collision repair 11.7 — — Finance, insurance and other, net 2.6 — — Powersports Segment revenues $ 53.5 $ — $ — Total consolidated revenues $ 14,001.1 $ 12,396.4 $ 9,767.0 Year Ended December 31, 2022 2021 2020 Segment Income (Loss) (1): (In millions) Franchised Dealerships Segment (2) $ 641.6 $ 530.3 $ 231.2 EchoPark Segment (3) (133.9) (72.0) 4.0 Powersports Segment 2.7 — — Total segment income (loss) $ 510.4 $ 458.3 $ 235.2 Impairment charges (4) (320.4) (0.1) (270.0) Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes $ 190.0 $ 458.2 $ (34.8) (1) Segment income (loss) for each segment is defined as income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes and impairment charges. (2) For the year ended December 31, 2022, amount includes approximately $9.1 million of pre-tax net gain on disposal of property, plant, and equipment, partially offset by an approximately $4.4 million pre-tax net loss on long-term compensation-related expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2021, amount includes approximately $15.5 million of pre-tax net loss on the extinguishment of debt, and approximately $3.0 million of pre-tax net loss on the acquisition of franchised dealerships, partially offset by approximately $1.8 million of pre-tax net gain on the disposal of franchised dealerships. For the year ended December 31, 2020, amount includes approximately $4.0 million of pre-tax net gain on the disposal of franchised dealerships. (3) For the year ended December 31, 2021, amount includes approximately $6.5 million of long-term compensation-related expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2020, amount includes approximately $5.2 million of pre-tax net gain on the disposal of land and buildings at former EchoPark locations. (4) For the year ended December 31, 2022, amount includes approximately $115.5 million of pre-tax franchise asset and property and equipment impairment charges for the Franchised Dealerships Segment and $204.9 million of pre-tax goodwill and franchise asset impairment charges for the EchoPark Segment. For the year ended December 31, 2021, amount includes approximately $0.1 million of pre-tax property and equipment impairment charges for the EchoPark Segment. For the year ended December 31, 2020, amount includes approximately $270.0 million of pre-tax goodwill and property and equipment impairment charges for the Franchised Dealerships Segment. Year Ended December 31, 2022 2021 2020 (In millions) Impairment charges: Franchised Dealerships Segment $ 115.5 $ — $ 270.0 EchoPark Segment 204.9 0.1 — Powersports Segment — — — Total impairment charges $ 320.4 $ 0.1 $ 270.0 Year Ended December 31, 2022 2021 2020 (In millions) Depreciation and amortization: Franchised Dealerships Segment $ 101.8 $ 84.8 $ 79.9 EchoPark Segment 24.7 16.3 11.1 Powersports Segment 1.0 — — Total depreciation and amortization $ 127.5 $ 101.1 $ 91.0 Year Ended December 31, 2022 2021 2020 (In millions) Floor plan interest expense: Franchised Dealerships Segment $ 23.6 $ 11.8 $ 24.0 EchoPark Segment 10.7 4.9 3.2 Powersports Segment — — — Total floor plan interest expense $ 34.3 $ 16.7 $ 27.2 Year Ended December 31, 2022 2021 2020 (In millions) Interest expense, other, net: Franchised Dealerships Segment $ 85.0 $ 46.3 $ 40.7 EchoPark Segment 3.9 1.7 0.9 Powersports Segment 1.0 — — Total interest expense, other, net $ 89.9 $ 48.0 $ 41.6 Year Ended December 31, 2022 2021 2020 (In millions) Capital expenditures: Franchised Dealerships Segment $ 130.3 $ 204.6 $ 92.3 EchoPark Segment 96.6 93.6 34.9 Powersports Segment 0.2 — — Total capital expenditures $ 227.1 $ 298.2 $ 127.2 December 31, 2022 2021 (In millions) Assets: Franchised Dealerships Segment $ 4,363.7 $ 3,934.9 EchoPark Segment 267.6 740.6 Powersports Segment 117.8 — Corporate and other: Cash and cash equivalents 229.2 299.4 Other corporate assets — 0.2 Total assets $ 4,978.3 $ 4,975.1

Leases, Codification Topic 842

Leases, Codification Topic 842	12 Months Ended
Leases, Codification Topic 842	Dec. 31, 2022
Leases [Abstract]
Lessee, Operating Leases [Text Block]	15. Leases The majority of our leases are related to dealership properties that are subject to long-term lease arrangements. In addition, we have certain equipment leases and contracts containing embedded leased assets that have been evaluated and included in the recorded Right of Use assets (“ROU”) asset and lease liabilities as appropriate. The ROU asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for lease payments made at or before the lease commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred or previously recognized favorable lease assets, less any lease incentives received or previously recognized lease exit accruals. For operating leases, the ROU asset is subsequently measured throughout the lease term at the carrying amount of the lease liability, plus initial direct costs, plus (minus) any prepaid (accrued) lease payments, less the unamortized balance of lease incentives received. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For finance leases, the ROU asset is reduced using the straight-line method from the lease commencement date to the earlier of the end of its useful life or the end of the lease term unless the lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to us or we are reasonably certain to exercise an option to purchase the underlying asset. In those cases, the ROU asset is reduced over the expected useful life of the underlying asset. Expense related to the reduction of the ROU asset is recognized and presented separately from interest expense on the lease liability. Variable lease payments associated with our leases are recognized when the event, activity or circumstance in the lease agreement on which those payments are assessed occurs. Variable lease payments are presented as operating expense in our consolidated statements of operations in the same line item as expense arising from fixed lease payments (operating leases) or expense related to the reduction of the ROU asset (finance leases). ROU assets for operating and finance leases are periodically reduced by impairment losses. We use the long-lived assets impairment guidance in ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment,” to determine whether the ROU asset is impaired and, if so, the amount of the impairment loss to recognize. We regularly monitor events or changes in circumstances that may require a reassessment of one of our leases. When a reassessment results in the remeasurement of a lease liability, a corresponding adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the corresponding ROU asset unless doing so would reduce the carrying amount of the ROU asset to an amount less than zero. In that case, the amount of the adjustment that would result in a negative ROU asset balance is recorded in profit or loss. Key estimates and judgments related to the measurement and recording of ROU assets and lease liabilities include how we determine: (1) the discount rate used to discount the unpaid lease payments to present value; and (2) the expected lease term, including any extension options. ASC Topic 842, “Leases,” requires a lessee to discount its unpaid lease payments using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, its incremental borrowing rate. Generally, we cannot determine the interest rate implicit in the lease because we do not have access to the lessor’s estimated residual value or the amount of the lessor’s deferred initial direct costs. Therefore, we generally use our incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate for the lease. We determined the discount rate for our leases based on the risk-free rate as of the measurement date for varying maturities corresponding to the remaining lease term, adjusted for the risk-premium attributed to Sonic’s corporate credit rating for a secured or collateralized instrument. Many of our lease arrangements have one or more existing renewal options to extend the lease term (typically in five- to 10-year increments), which were considered in the calculation of the ROU assets and lease liabilities if we determined that it was reasonably certain that an extension option would be exercised. The lease term for all of the Company’s leases includes the non-cancelable period of the lease plus any additional periods covered by our option to extend the lease that we are reasonably certain to exercise. We determine the probability of the exercise of a lease extension option based on our long-term strategic business outlook and the condition and remaining useful life of the fixed assets at the location subject to the lease agreement, among other factors. The majority of our lease agreements require fixed monthly payments (subject to either specific or index-based escalations in future periods) while other agreements require variable lease payments based on changes in LIBOR or any replacement thereof. Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise the: (1) fixed lease payments, including in-substance fixed payments, owed over the lease term, which include termination penalties we would owe if the estimated lease term assumes that we would be likely to exercise a termination option prior to the earliest expiration date; (2) variable lease payments that depend on an index or rate, initially measured using the index or rate at the lease commencement date; and (3) the exercise price of our option to purchase the underlying asset if we are reasonably certain to exercise the option. Our leases do not typically contain residual value guarantees. In certain situations, we have entered into sublease agreements whereby we sublease all or a portion of a leased real estate asset to a third party. To the extent that we have a sublease related to a lease agreement for an asset that we are no longer using in operations, we have reduced the ROU asset by any applicable net deficiency in expected cash flows from that sublease (either due to partial monthly sublease proceeds or a sublease term less than the remaining master lease term). ASC Topic 842 also provides practical expedients for ongoing accounting. We elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for our real estate and equipment leases, which means that for those leases that qualify, we do not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities and recognize the expense related to the short-term leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term and any variable lease payments in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. We have also elected the practical expedient that allows us not to separate non-lease components of an agreement from lease components (for certain non-real estate assets). Following is information related to lease expenses and other lease-related information for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021: Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022 Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2021 Lease Expense (In millions) Finance lease expense Reduction of right-of-use assets $ 13.6 $ 7.2 Interest on lease liabilities 13.1 7.4 Operating lease expense (1) 54.8 61.5 Short-term lease expense 0.7 1.7 Variable lease expense 9.0 9.3 Sublease income (5.5) (8.3) Total $ 85.7 $ 78.8 (1) Included in operating cash flows in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows. Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022 Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2021 Other Information (In millions) Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities Financing cash flows for finance leases $ 8.4 $ 46.7 Operating cash flows for finance leases $ 13.1 $ 7.4 Operating cash flows for operating leases $ 54.3 $ 62.2 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities Finance leases $ 137.7 $ 151.6 Operating leases (1) $ 7.9 $ 15.9 (1) Includes the impact of reclassification of ROU assets from operating leases to finance leases due to remeasurement. December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Other Information Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years) Finance leases 12.2 11.1 Operating leases 9.2 9.4 Weighted-average discount rate Finance leases 7.39 % 7.39 % Operating leases 6.43 % 6.34 % Undiscounted Lease Cash Flows Under ASC Topic 842 as of December 31, 2022 Finance Leases Operating Leases Receipts from Subleases Year Ending December 31, (In millions) 2023 $ 26.3 $ 51.8 $ 5.4 2024 23.7 47.6 3.6 2025 24.6 42.7 1.7 2026 24.9 36.0 1.5 2027 70.0 30.1 1.4 Thereafter 181.2 151.9 — Total $ 350.7 $ 360.1 $ 13.6 Less: Present value discount (111.0) (92.3) Lease liabilities $ 239.7 $ 267.8

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Dec. 31, 2022
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events

Description of Business and Sum

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Organization and Business	Organization and Business - Sonic Automotive, Inc. (“Sonic,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States (“U.S.”) (as measured by reported total revenue). As a result of the way we manage our business, we had three reportable segments as of December 31, 2022: (1) the Franchised Dealerships Segment; (2) the EchoPark Segment; and (3) the Powersports Segment. For management and operational reporting purposes, we group certain businesses together that share management and inventory (principally used vehicles) into “stores.” As of December 31, 2022, we operated 111 stores in the Franchised Dealerships Segment, 52 stores in the EchoPark Segment and eight stores in the Powersports Segment. The Franchised Dealerships Segment consists of 142 new vehicle franchises (representing 28 different brands of cars and light trucks) and 17 collision repair centers in 18 states. The EchoPark Segment operates in 21 states, including 11 Northwest Motorsport pre-owned vehicle stores acquired in the RFJ Acquisition in December 2021 that are included in the EchoPark Segment. Under our current EchoPark growth plan, we plan to continue to increase our physical and digital footprint as we build out a nationwide EchoPark distribution network expected to reach 90% of the U.S. population by 2025. The Franchised Dealerships Segment provides comprehensive sales and services, including: (1) sales of both new and used cars and light trucks; (2) sales of replacement parts and performance of vehicle maintenance, manufacturer warranty repairs, and paint and collision repair services (collectively, “Fixed Operations”); and (3) arrangement of third-party financing, extended warranties, service contracts, insurance and other aftermarket products (collectively, “finance and insurance” or “F&I”) for our guests. The EchoPark Segment sells used cars and light trucks and arranges third-party F&I product sales for our guests in pre-owned vehicle specialty retail locations, and does not offer customer-facing Fixed Operations services. The Powersports Segment offers guests: (1) sales of both new and used powersports vehicles (such as motorcycles, personal watercraft and all-terrain vehicles); (2) Fixed Operations activities; and (3) F&I services. All three segments generally operate independently of one another, with the exception of certain shared back-office functions and corporate overhead costs.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation - All of our dealership and non-dealership subsidiaries are wholly owned and consolidated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, except for one 50%-owned dealership that is accounted for under the equity method. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires Sonic’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the accompanying consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates, particularly related to intangible asset values, deferred tax asset values and reserves for unrecognized tax benefits, reserves for legal matters, insurance reserves, reserves for future commission revenue to be returned to the third-party provider for early termination of finance and insurance contracts (“chargebacks”), and estimates of certain retrospective finance and insurance revenue.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents - We classify cash and all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase, including short-term time deposits and government agency and corporate obligations, as cash and cash equivalents.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition - Revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services and in an amount that reflects the consideration that the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. We do not include the cost of obtaining contracts within the related revenue streams since we elected the practical expedient to expense the costs to obtain a contract when incurred. Management has evaluated our established business processes, revenue transaction streams and accounting policies, and identified our material revenue streams to be: (1) the sale of new vehicles; (2) the sale of used vehicles to retail customers; (3) the sale of wholesale used vehicles at third-party auctions; (4) the arrangement of third-party vehicle financing and the sale of third-party service, warranty and other insurance contracts; and (5) the performance of vehicle maintenance and repair services and the sale of related parts and accessories. Generally, performance obligations are satisfied when the associated vehicle is either delivered to a customer and customer acceptance has occurred, over time as the maintenance and repair services are performed, or at the time of wholesale and retail parts sales. We do not have any revenue streams with significant financing components as payments are typically received within a short period of time following completion of the performance obligation(s). Retrospective finance and insurance revenues (“F&I retro revenues”) are recognized when the product contract has been executed with the end customer and the transaction price is estimated each reporting period based on the expected value method using historical and projected data. F&I retro revenues can vary based on a variety of factors, including number of contracts and history of cancellations and claims. Accordingly, we utilize this historical and projected data to constrain the consideration to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. We record revenue when vehicles are delivered to customers, as vehicle service work is performed and when parts are delivered. Conditions for completing a sale include having an agreement with the customer, including pricing, and it being probable that the proceeds from the sale will be collected. The accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 include approximately $38.7 million and $34.9 million, respectively, related to contract assets from F&I retro revenues recognition, which are recorded in receivables, net. Changes in contract assets from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022 were primarily due to ordinary business activity, including the receipt of cash for amounts earned and recognized in prior periods.
Floor Plan Assistance	Floor Plan Assistance - We receive floor plan assistance in the form of direct payments or credits from certain manufacturers. This assistance reduces the carrying value of our new vehicle inventory and is recognized as a reduction of cost of sales at the time the associated inventory is sold. Amounts recognized as a reduction of cost of sales were approximately $51.5 million, $46.5 million and $40.6 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Contracts in Transit	Contracts in Transit - Contracts in transit represent finance contracts evidencing loans or lease agreements between us, as creditor, and the guest, as borrower, to acquire or lease a vehicle in situations where a third-party finance source has given us initial, non-binding approval to assume our position as creditor. Funding and final approval from the finance source is provided upon the finance source’s review of the loan or lease agreement and related documentation executed by the guest at the dealership. These finance contracts are typically funded within 10 days of the initial approval of the finance transaction given by the third-party finance source. The finance source is not contractually obligated to make the loan or lease to the guest until it gives its final approval and funds the transaction, and until such final approval is given, the contracts in transit represent amounts due from the guest to us. Contracts in transit are included in receivables, net on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and totaled approximately $216.8 million and $143.0 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable - In addition to contracts in transit, our accounts receivable primarily consists of amounts due from automobile manufacturers for repair services performed on vehicles with a remaining factory warranty and amounts due from third parties from the sale of parts. We evaluate receivables for collectability based on the age of the receivable, the credit history of the third party, past collection experience, current economic conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future conditions. The recorded allowance for doubtful accounts receivable was not significant at December 31, 2022 and 2021. Receivables, net consist of the following: December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 (In millions) Contracts in transit $ 216.8 $ 143.0 Manufacturer and warranty receivables 68.1 69.6 Other receivables 177.5 188.5 Receivables, net $ 462.4 $ 401.1
Inventories	Inventories - Inventories of new vehicles, recorded net of manufacturer credits, and used vehicles, including demonstrators, are stated at the lower of specific cost or net realizable value. Inventories of parts and accessories are accounted for using the “first-in, first-out” (“FIFO”) method of inventory accounting and are stated at the lower of FIFO cost or net realizable value. Other inventories are primarily service loaner vehicles and, to a lesser extent, vehicle chassis, other supplies and capitalized customer work-in-progress (open customer vehicle repair orders). Other inventories are stated at the lower of specific cost (depreciated cost for service loaner vehicles) or net realizable value.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment - Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. We amortize leasehold improvements over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the remaining available lease term. The available lease term includes renewal options if the exercise of a renewal option has been determined to be reasonably assured. The range of estimated useful lives is as follows: Buildings and leasehold and land improvements 10-40 years Furniture, fixtures and equipment 3-10 years We review the carrying value of property and equipment and other long-lived assets (including related right-of-use assets for leased properties, but excluding goodwill and other intangible assets) for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If such an indication is present, we compare the carrying amount of the asset to the estimated undiscounted cash flows related to that asset. We conclude that an asset is impaired if the sum of such expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the related asset. If we determine an asset is impaired, the impairment loss would be the amount by which the carrying amount of the related asset exceeds its fair value. The fair value of the asset would be determined based on the quoted market prices, if available. If quoted market prices are not available, we determine fair value by using a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model. See Note 4, “Property and Equipment,” for a discussion of impairment charges.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - We utilize derivative financial instruments for the purpose of hedging the risks of certain identifiable and anticipated transactions. Commonly, the types of risks being hedged are those relating to the variability of cash flows caused by fluctuations in interest rates. We document our risk management strategy and hedge effectiveness at the inception of and during the term of each hedge. As of December 31, 2022, we utilized interest rate cap agreements to limit our exposure to increases in one-month Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) rates above certain levels. See Note 6, “Long-Term Debt,” for further discussion of derivative instruments and hedging activities.
Goodwill	Goodwill - Goodwill is recognized to the extent that the purchase price of the acquisition exceeds the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired, including other identifiable intangible assets. In accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other,” we test goodwill for impairment at least annually (as of October 1 of each year) or more frequently if indications of impairment exist. The ASC also states that if an entity determines, based on an assessment of certain qualitative factors, that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then a quantitative goodwill impairment test is unnecessary.
Other Intangible Assets	Other Intangible Assets - The principal identifiable intangible assets other than goodwill acquired in an acquisition are rights under franchise or dealer agreements with manufacturers. We classify franchise and dealer agreements as indefinite lived intangible assets as it has been our experience that renewals have occurred without substantial cost or material modifications to the underlying agreements. As such, we believe that our franchise and dealer agreements will contribute to cash flows for an indefinite period, therefore the carrying amount of franchise rights is not amortized. Franchise and dealer agreements acquired on or after July 1, 2001 have been included in other intangible assets, net on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Prior to July 1, 2001, franchise and dealer agreements were recorded and amortized as part of goodwill and remain as part of goodwill on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. In accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other,” we evaluate other intangible assets for impairment annually (as of October 1 of each year) or more frequently if indications of impairment exist. We utilized a multi-period excess earnings method (“MPEEM”) model to estimate the fair value of the franchise assets for each of our franchises with recorded franchise assets. The significant assumptions in our MPEEM model include projected revenue, projected operating margins, a discount rate (and estimates in the discount rate inputs) and residual growth rates. Our estimate of future revenue growth is in part driven by our estimates of new vehicle industry sales volume in future periods. While not completely correlated, we believe the historic and projected industry sales volume is a good general indicator of growth or contraction in the retail automotive industry. As a result of our impairment testing as of October 1, 2022, we determined that several of our recently acquired franchise assets’ fair values did not exceed the carrying values, resulting in $116.4 million in franchise asset impairment charges recorded in the consolidated statements of operations during the fourth quarter of 2022. After the effect of impairment charges, the carrying value of our franchise assets totaled approximately $396.7 million at December 31, 2022, and is included in other intangible assets, net in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of such date. See Note 5, “Goodwill and Intangible Assets,” for further discussion of franchise and dealer agreements.
Insurance Reserves
Income Taxes	Income Taxes - Income taxes are provided for the tax effects of transactions reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and consist of taxes currently due plus deferred taxes. Deferred taxes are provided at enacted tax rates for the tax effects of carryforward items and temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts. As a matter of course, the Company is regularly audited by various taxing authorities and, from time to time, these audits result in proposed assessments where the ultimate resolution may result in the Company owing additional taxes. Management believes that the Company’s tax positions comply, in all material respects, with applicable tax law and that the Company has adequately provided for any reasonably foreseeable outcome related to these matters.
Concentrations of Credit and Business Risk	Concentrations of Credit and Business Risk - Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash on deposit with financial institutions, which may exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables are limited primarily to receivables from automobile manufacturers, totaling approximately $68.1 million and $69.6 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and receivables from financial institutions (which include manufacturer-affiliated finance companies and commercial banks), totaling approximately $255.9 million and $175.2 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Credit risk arising from trade receivables from commercial customers is reduced by the large number of customers comprising the trade receivables balances. We are subject to a concentration of risk in the event of financial distress or other adverse events related to any of the automobile manufacturers whose franchised dealerships are included in our brand portfolio. We purchase our new vehicle inventory from various automobile manufacturers at the prevailing prices available to all franchised dealerships. In addition, we finance a portion of our new and used vehicle inventory with manufacturer-affiliated finance companies. Our results of operations could be adversely affected by the manufacturers’ inability to supply our dealerships with an adequate supply of new vehicle inventory and related floor plan financing. We also have concentrations of risk related to the geographic markets in which our dealerships or stores operate. Changes in overall economic, retail automotive or regulatory environments in one or more of these markets could adversely impact the results of our operations.
Financial Instruments and Market Risks	Financial Instruments and Market Risks - As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the fair values of our financial instruments, including receivables, notes receivable from finance contracts, notes payable - floor plan, trade accounts payable, borrowings under the revolving credit facilities and certain mortgage notes, approximated their carrying values due either to length of maturity or existence of variable interest rates that approximate prevailing market rates. See Note 11, “Fair Value Measurements,” for further discussion of the fair value and carrying value of our fixed rate long-term debt and other financial instruments. We have variable rate notes payable - floor plan, revolving credit facilities, a mortgage facility and other variable rate notes that expose us to risks caused by fluctuations in the underlying interest rates. We manage interest rate risk by entering into interest rate cap agreements. The counterparties to our interest rate cap agreements are large financial institutions; however, we could be exposed to loss in the event of non-performance by any of these counterparties. See further discussion in Note 6, “Long-Term Debt.”
Advertising	Advertising - We expense advertising costs in the period incurred, net of earned cooperative manufacturer credits that represent reimbursements for specific, identifiable and incremental advertising costs. Advertising expense amounted to approximately $95.4 million, $61.6 million and $42.2 million for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and is classified in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. We have cooperative advertising reimbursement agreements with certain automobile manufacturers we represent. These agreements require us to provide the manufacturer with support for qualified, actual advertising expenditures in order to receive reimbursement under the agreements. It is uncertain whether or not we would maintain the same level of advertising expenditures if these manufacturers discontinued their cooperative programs. Cooperative manufacturer credits classified as an offset to advertising expenses were approximately $30.8 million, $22.1 million and $19.2 million for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Segment Information	Segment Information - For purposes of reporting financial condition and results of operations, we have determined that we have three reportable segments: (1) the Franchised Dealerships Segment; (2) the EchoPark Segment; and (3) the Powersports Segment. The Franchised Dealerships Segment provides comprehensive sales and services, including: (1) sales of both new and used cars and light trucks; (2) Fixed Operations activities; and (3) F&I services for our guests. The EchoPark Segment sells used cars and light trucks and arranges third-party F&I product sales for our guests in pre-owned vehicle specialty retail locations, and does not offer customer-facing Fixed Operations services. The Powersports Segment offers guests: (1) sales of both new and used powersports vehicles (such as motorcycles, personal watercraft and all-terrain vehicles); (2) Fixed Operations activities; and (3) F&I services. All three segments generally operate independently of one another, with the exception of certain shared back-office functions and corporate overhead costs. Earnings Per Share - The calculation of diluted earnings per share considers the potential dilutive effect of restricted stock units, restricted stock awards and stock options granted under Sonic’s stock compensation plans (and any non-forfeitable dividends paid on such awards), in addition to Class A Common Stock purchase warrants.
COVID19 Description [Text Block]	COVID 19 - The COVID-19 pandemic began negatively impacting the global economy in the first quarter of 2020 and continued to affect the global economy and supply chain throughout 2022. The pandemic has affected both consumer demand and the global supply of automobiles and automobile parts, increasing demand for vehicles at times, while also negatively impacting automobile manufacturers’ ability to produce enough inventory to meet demand. The global automotive supply chain has been significantly disrupted since the onset of the pandemic, primarily related to the production of semiconductors that are used in many components of new vehicles, in addition to workforce-related production delays and stoppages. As a result, automobile manufacturing has operated at lower than usual production levels since the first quarter of 2020, reducing the amount of new vehicle inventory and certain parts inventory available to our dealerships. These inventory constraints, coupled with strong consumer demand, a period of low interest rates and record levels of consumer savings, have led to low new and used vehicle inventory and a high new and used vehicle pricing environment, which drove retail new vehicle unit sales volumes lower across the industry in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Recent Accounting Pronouncements - In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” ASU 2020-04 provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential accounting impact associated with transitioning away from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued, such as the London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). The amendments in this ASU apply only to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. The amendments in ASU 2020-04 were effective through December 31, 2022. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01 which clarifies that certain optional expedients and exceptions in ASC Topic 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition. Certain of our existing contracts have been modified, amended or renegotiated to accommodate a transition to a new reference rate, and we will continue to evaluate any such modifications or amendments to our contracts to determine the applicability of this standard on our consolidated financial statements and related financial statement disclosures. See Note 6, “Long-Term Debt,” for a discussion of amendments to our debt agreements related to conversion from LIBOR to a new reference rate.

Description of Business and S_2

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Range of Estimated Useful Lives	The range of estimated useful lives is as follows: Buildings and leasehold and land improvements 10-40 years Furniture, fixtures and equipment 3-10 years

Business Acquisitions and Dis_2

Business Acquisitions and Dispositions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Business Acquisitions and Dispositions (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2022 store
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Revenues and Other Activities Associated with Disposed Dealerships That Remain in Continuing Operations	Revenues and other operating results associated with disposed dealerships that remain in continuing operations were as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2022 2021 2020 (In millions) Income (loss) from operations before taxes and items below $ 0.2 $ (2.2) $ (2.6) Gain (loss) on disposal of dealerships (1) — 2.3 3.1 Lease exit accrual adjustments and charges — 0.4 — Income (loss) before taxes 0.2 0.5 0.5 Total revenues $ — $ 25.5 $ 52.1
Number of Powersports Stores Acquired	2
Business Acquisitions and Dispositions	2. Business Acquisitions and Dispositions Acquisitions During 2022, we acquired two businesses in our Franchised Dealerships Segment and two businesses (consisting of eight locations) in our Powersports Segment for an aggregate gross purchase price (including inventory acquired and subsequently funded by floor plan notes payable) of approximately $102.3 million, including a $14.7 million impact of a post-close adjustment related to the RFJ Acquisition completed in December 2021. The allocation of the approximately $87.6 million aggregate gross purchase price for the acquisitions completed during 2022 included inventory of approximately $31.0 million, property and equipment of approximately $0.5 million, franchise assets of approximately $33.2 million, goodwill of approximately $14.1 million, real estate of approximately $8.1 million, other assets of approximately $1.1 million, and liabilities of approximately $0.4 million. During 2021, we acquired 27 franchised dealership businesses and 14 pre-owned businesses for approximately $1,018.9 million. During 2020, we acquired two pre-owned businesses for approximately $19.7 million. Results of acquired dealerships are included in our accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income commencing on the date of acquisition. Our acquisitions are accounted for such that the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recognized at their acquisition date fair values, with any excess of the consideration transferred over the estimated fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is an asset representing operational synergies and future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. The fair value of our manufacturer franchise rights are determined as of the acquisition date, by discounting the projected cash flows specific to each franchise. This analysis includes projected revenue, projected operating margin, a discount rates (and estimates in the discount rate inputs) and residual growth rates. RFJ Acquisition On December 6, 2021 (the “Closing Date”), Sonic completed the acquisition of RFJ Auto Partners, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “RFJ Auto”). On the Closing Date, RFJ Auto merged with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of Sonic, with RFJ Auto surviving the merger and becoming a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Sonic (the “RFJ Acquisition”). In connection with the RFJ Acquisition, Sonic acquired RFJ Auto, which collectively have 33 automotive retail locations in seven states and a portfolio of 16 automotive brands. Beginning on the Closing Date, the results of 22 stores acquired in the RFJ Acquisition were included in our Franchised Dealerships Segment and 11 Northwest Motorsport pre-owned vehicle stores acquired in the RFJ Acquisition were included in our EchoPark Segment. The aggregate consideration for the RFJ Acquisition was approximately $964.9 million, including a $14.7 million impact of a post-close adjustment, of which approximately $222.4 million was funded from borrowings under Sonic’s syndicated new and used vehicle floor plan credit facilities. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the purchase price is allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on information currently available. The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price based on final assessment of fair value: Summary of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (In millions) Cash $ 9.4 Receivables 31.4 Inventories 253.5 Other current assets 7.8 Property and equipment 129.7 Goodwill 177.1 Franchise assets 398.2 Total assets acquired $ 1,007.1 Trade accounts payable (5.3) Other accrued liabilities (36.9) Total liabilities assumed $ (42.2) Net assets acquired $ 964.9 We recorded approximately $0.6 million and $3.0 million of acquisition related costs during the year ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The accompanying consolidated statements of operations include revenue and net income attributable to RFJ Auto from December 6, 2021 through December 31, 2021 of approximately $215.7 million and $7.5 million, respectively. The following unaudited pro forma summary presents consolidated information as if the acquisition of RFJ Auto had occurred on January 1, 2020: Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 (In millions) Revenue $ 15,408.7 $ 12,526.0 Net income $ 393.4 $ (42.9) Dispositions We did not dispose of any businesses in 2022. We disposed of one luxury franchised dealership and terminated two mid-line import franchises in 2021, which generated net cash from dispositions of approximately $6.6 million. We disposed of one mid-line import franchised dealership and terminated two luxury franchises in 2020, which generated net cash from dispositions of approximately $9.6 million. In conjunction with dealership dispositions, we have agreed to indemnify the buyers from certain liabilities and costs arising from operations or events that occurred prior to sale but which may or may not have been known at the time of sale, including environmental liabilities and liabilities resulting from the breach of representations or warranties made under the agreements. See Note 12, “Commitments and Contingencies,” for further discussion. Revenues and other operating results associated with disposed dealerships that remain in continuing operations were as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2022 2021 2020 (In millions) Income (loss) from operations before taxes and items below $ 0.2 $ (2.2) $ (2.6) Gain (loss) on disposal of dealerships (1) — 2.3 3.1 Lease exit accrual adjustments and charges — 0.4 — Income (loss) before taxes 0.2 0.5 0.5 Total revenues $ — $ 25.5 $ 52.1 (1) Included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Inventories and Related Notes_2

Inventories and Related Notes Payable - Floor Plan (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Inventories and Related Notes Payable - Floor Plan (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2022
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Inventories	Inventories consist of the following: December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 (In millions) New vehicles $ 449.3 $ 273.1 Used vehicles 534.0 807.2 Service loaners 143.8 106.3 Parts, accessories and other 89.8 74.6 Inventories $ 1,216.8 $ 1,261.2

Property and Equipment (Tables)

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Property and Equipment (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2022
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Components of Property and Equipment, Net	Property and equipment, net consists of the following: December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 (In millions) Land $ 478.2 $ 447.4 Buildings and improvements 1,365.3 1,240.5 Furniture, fixtures and equipment 504.1 451.2 Construction in progress 57.0 68.1 Total, at cost 2,404.6 2,207.2 Less accumulated depreciation (842.9) (746.2) Subtotal 1,561.7 1,461.0 Less assets held for sale (1) — (2.2) Property and equipment, net $ 1,561.7 $ 1,458.8 (1) Classified in other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2022
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in Carrying Amount of Franchise Assets and Goodwill	The changes in the carrying amount of franchise assets and goodwill for 2022 and 2021 were as follows: Franchise Assets Net Goodwill (In millions) Balance at December 31, 2020 $ 64.3 $ 214.0 (1) Additions through current year acquisitions 415.9 204.0 (2) Reductions from dispositions — (0.2) Prior year acquisition allocations — (1.4) Balance at December 31, 2021 $ 480.2 $ 416.4 (1) Additions through current year acquisitions 33.1 14.3 Reductions from dispositions (0.2) — Reductions from impairment (116.4) (202.9) Prior year acquisition allocations — 3.2 Balance at December 31, 2022 $ 396.7 $ 231.0 (3) (1) Net of accumulated impairment losses of $1.1 billion. (2) Goodwill includes goodwill in connection with the RFJ Acquisition of approximately $123.4 million and $52.7 million allocated to the EchoPark Segment and the Franchised Dealership Segment, respectively. (3) Net of accumulated impairment losses of $1.3 billion.

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Long-Term Debt (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2022
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Future Maturities of Long-Term Debt	Future maturities of long-term debt are as follows: Principal Year Ending December 31, (In millions) 2023 $ 79.5 2024 60.4 2025 113.2 2026 53.2 2027 291.9 Thereafter 1,181.4 Total $ 1,779.6
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Financial Covenants Include Required Specified Ratios	We were in compliance with the financial covenants under the 2021 Credit Facilities and the 2019 Mortgage Facility as of December 31, 2022. Financial covenants include required specified ratios (as each is defined in the 2021 Credit Facilities and the 2019 Mortgage Facility) of: Covenant Minimum Consolidated Liquidity Ratio Minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Maximum Consolidated Total Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio Required ratio 1.05 1.20 5.75 December 31, 2022 actual 1.38 1.87 2.31
Summary of Interest Received and Paid under Term of Cash Flow Swap	Notional Amount Cap Rate (1) Receive Rate (1) (2) Start Date Maturing Date (In millions) $ 250.0 3.000% one-month LIBOR July 1, 2021 July 1, 2022 $ 250.0 5.000% one-month Term SOFR October 26, 2022 October 25, 2023 $ 125.0 5.000% one-month Term SOFR October 26, 2023 October 26, 2024 (1) Under these interest rate caps, no payment from the counterparty will occur unless the stated receive rate exceeds the stated cap rate, in which case a net payment to us from the counterparty, based on the spread between the receive rate and the cap rate, will be recognized as a reduction of interest expense, other, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. (2) The one-month SOFR rate was approximately 4.062% at December 31, 2022.
Long-Term Debt	Long-term debt consists of the following: December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 (In millions) 2021 Revolving Credit Facility (1) $ — $ — 4.625% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “4.625% Notes”) 650.0 650.0 4.875% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “4.875% Notes”) 500.0 500.0 2019 Mortgage Facility (2) 327.0 90.0 Mortgage notes to finance companies - fixed rate, bearing interest from 2.05% to 7.03% 186.6 213.4 Mortgage notes to finance companies - variable rate, bearing interest at 1.50 to 2.90 percentage points above one-month or three-month LIBOR or SOFR 116.0 132.8 Subtotal $ 1,779.6 $ 1,586.2 Debt issuance costs (27.9) (24.9) Total debt 1,751.7 1,561.3 Less current maturities (79.5) (50.6) Long-term debt $ 1,672.2 $ 1,510.7 (1) The interest rate on the 2021 Revolving Credit Facility (as defined below) was 100 basis points above one-month Term SOFR at December 31, 2022 and 100 basis points above LIBOR at December 31, 2021. (2) The interest rate on the 2019 Mortgage Facility (as defined below) was 125 basis points above one-month Term SOFR at December 31, 2022 and 150 basis points above LIBOR at December 31, 2021.

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2022
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Provision for Income Taxes for Continuing Operations - Benefit (Expense)	The provision for income taxes for continuing operations - benefit (expense) consists of the following: Year Ended December 31, 2022 2021 2020 (In millions) Current: Federal $ (93.8) $ (80.4) $ (33.8) State (20.4) (16.6) (16.6) Total current (114.2) (97.0) (50.4) Deferred 12.7 (12.3) 34.5 Total provision for income taxes for continuing operations - benefit (expense) $ (101.5) $ (109.3) $ (15.9)
Reconciliation of Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate with Federal and State Overall Effective Income Tax Rate from Continuing Operations	The reconciliation of the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate with our federal and state overall effective income tax rate from continuing operations is as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2022 2021 2020 U.S. statutory federal income tax rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 % Effective state income tax rate 7.8 % 2.6 % (8.5) % Valuation allowance adjustments (0.8) % 0.2 % 7.5 % Uncertain tax positions (0.1) % 0.2 % (0.6) % Effect of goodwill impairment and indefinite lived intangible assets 24.9 % 0.0 % (60.2) % Non-deductible compensation 2.2 % 0.6 % (7.1) % Tax credits 0.0 % 0.0 % 7.4 % Other (1.6) % (0.7) % (5.2) % Effective income tax rate 53.4 % 23.9 % (45.7) %
Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows: December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 (In millions) Deferred tax assets: Accruals and reserves $ 33.9 $ 39.5 State net operating loss carryforwards 6.7 6.5 Basis difference in goodwill — — Basis difference in liabilities related to right-of-use assets 124.7 119.1 Other 5.0 5.8 Total deferred tax assets 170.3 170.9 Deferred tax liabilities: Basis difference in property and equipment (14.3) (11.8) Basis difference in goodwill (6.3) (27.3) Basis difference in right-of-use assets (119.3) (115.4) Other (2.8) (1.4) Total deferred tax liabilities (142.7) (155.9) Valuation allowance (5.6) (4.1) Net deferred tax asset (liability) $ 22.0 $ 10.9

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2022
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Status of Stock Options Related to Stock Plans	A summary of the status of the stock options related to the Stock Plans is presented below: Options Outstanding Exercise Price Per Share (Low - High) Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value (In millions, except per share data, term in years) Balance at December 31, 2021 1.8 $ 16.76 - 16.76 $ 16.76 8.3 $ 57.9 Exercised (0.5) $ 16.76 - 16.76 $ 16.76 Balance at December 31, 2022 1.2 $ 16.76 - 16.76 $ 16.76 7.3 $ 40.2 Exercisable 0.6 $ 16.76 - 16.76 $ 16.76 7.3 $ 20.6
Schedule Intrinsic Value of Options Exercised	Year Ended December 31, 2022 2021 2020 (In millions, except per option amounts) Weighted-average grant date fair value per option granted $ 4.17 $ 4.17 $ 4.17 Intrinsic value of stock options exercised $ 18.0 $ 15.4 $ —
Status of Non-Vested Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Grants Related to Stock Plans	A summary of the status of the non-vested restricted stock award and restricted stock unit grants related to the Stock Plans is presented below: Non-Vested Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share (In millions, except per share data) Balance at December 31, 2021 1.5 $ 26.35 Granted 0.6 $ 49.30 Forfeited — $ 45.91 Vested (0.6) $ 22.30 Balance at December 31, 2022 1.5 $ 36.12
Status of Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan	The following table sets forth the status of the SERP: Year Ended December 31, 2022 2021 Change in projected benefit obligation: (In millions) Obligation at January 1 $ 23.5 $ 22.5 Service cost 1.6 2.7 Interest cost 0.6 0.5 Actuarial loss (gain) (4.6) (1.8) Benefits paid (0.4) (0.4) Obligation at December 31 (1) $ 20.7 $ 23.5 Accumulated benefit obligation $ 15.5 $ 18.6 (1) As of December 31, 2022, approximately $0.4 million was included in other accrued liabilities and approximately $20.3 million was included in other long-term liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of such date. As of December 31, 2021, approximately $0.4 million was included in other accrued liabilities and approximately $23.1 million was included in other long-term liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of such date.
Schedule of Funded Status	Year Ended December 31, 2022 2021 Change in fair value of plan assets: (In millions) Plan assets at January 1 $ — $ — Actual return on plan assets — — Employer contributions 0.4 0.4 Benefits paid (0.4) (0.4) Plan assets at December 31 — — Funded status recognized $ (20.7) $ (23.5)
Cost Components of Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan	The following table provides the cost components of the SERP: Year Ended December 31, 2022 2021 (In millions) Service cost $ 1.6 $ 2.7 Interest cost 0.6 0.5 Amortization of gain (loss) 0.0 0.1 Net pension expense (benefit) $ 2.2 $ 3.3
Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligation and Net Periodic Benefit Costs	The weighted-average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation and net periodic benefit costs consist of: As of December 31, 2022 2021 Discount rate 4.93 % 2.60 % Rate of compensation increase 3.00 % 3.00 %
Estimated Future Benefit Payments	The estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid for each of the next five years and the sum of the payments expected for the next five years thereafter are: Estimated Future Benefit Payments Year Ending December 31, (In millions) 2023 $ 0.4 2024 $ 0.4 2025 $ 0.4 2026 $ 0.4 2027 $ 0.5 2028 - 2032 $ 6.4
Schedule of Multiemployer Pension Plans Affecting Period-to-Period Comparability of Contributions	Our participation in the AI Pension Plan for 2022, 2021 and 2020 is outlined in the table below. The “EIN/Pension Plan Number” column provides the Employee Identification Number (the “EIN”). Unless otherwise noted, the most recent Pension Protection Act of 2006 (the “PPA”) zone status available in the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 is for the plan’s year-end at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The zone status is based on information that we received from the AI Pension Plan. Among other factors, plans in the red zone are generally less than 65% funded (“Critical Status”), plans in the yellow zone are less than 80% funded and plans in the green zone are at least 80% funded. The “FIP/RP Status - Pending/Implemented” column indicates plans for which a Financial Improvement Plan (“FIP”) or a Rehabilitation Plan (“RP”) is either pending or has been implemented. The last column lists the expiration dates of the collective bargaining agreements to which the plan is subject. The number of employees covered by the AI Pension Plan decreased 8.5% from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021 and increased 4.3% from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022, affecting the period-to-period comparability of the contributions for 2022, 2021 and 2020. Pension Protection Act Zone Status FIP/RP Status Sonic Contributions Surcharge Imposed Collective Bargaining Agreement Expiration Date Pension Fund EIN/Pension Plan Number 2022 2021 Pending /Implemented Year Ended December 31, 2022 2021 2020 (In millions) AI Pension Plan 94-1133245 Red Red RP Implemented $0.2 $0.1 $0.2 Yes Between

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2022
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value	Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows: Fair Value Based on Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 (In millions) Assets: Cash surrender value of life insurance policies (1) $ 38.2 $ 39.5 Total assets $ 38.2 $ 39.5 Liabilities: Deferred compensation plan (2) $ 21.1 $ 24.4 Total liabilities $ 21.1 $ 24.4 (1) Included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis	Nonfinancial assets such as goodwill, other intangible assets, and long-lived assets held and used are measured at fair value when there is an indicator of impairment and recorded at fair value only when impairment is recognized or for a business combination. The fair values less costs to sell of long-lived assets or assets held for sale are assessed each reporting period they remain classified as held for sale. Subsequent changes in the held for sale long-lived asset’s or assets held for sale group’s fair value less cost to sell (increase or decrease) are reported as an adjustment to its carrying amount, except that the adjusted carrying amount cannot exceed the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or disposal group at the time it was initially classified as held for sale. The following table presents assets measured and recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021: 2022 2021 Fair Value Gain/ Fair Value Gain/ (in millions) Goodwill (1) $ — $ (202.9) $ — $ — Franchise rights and other (1) $ 254.7 $ (116.4) $ — $ — (1) See Note 5, “Goodwill and Intangible Assets.” As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the fair values of our financial instruments, including receivables, notes receivable from finance contracts, notes payable - floor plan, trade accounts payable, borrowings under the revolving credit facilities and certain mortgage notes, approximated their carrying values due either to length of maturity or existence of variable interest rates that approximate prevailing market rates.
Fair Value and Carrying Value of Fixed Rate Long-Term Debt	At December 31, 2022 and 2021, the fair value and carrying value of Sonic ’ s significant fixed rate long-term debt were as follows: December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value (In millions) 4.875% Notes (1) $ 390.3 $ 500.0 $ 504.8 $ 500.0 4.625% Notes (1) $ 519.5 $ 650.0 $ 655.9 $ 650.0 Mortgage Notes (2) $ 174.0 $ 186.6 $ 216.6 $ 213.4 (1) As determined by market quotations as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively (Level 2). (2) As determined by the DCF method (Level 2).

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2022
Equity [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows: Gains and (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges Defined Benefit Pension Plan Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (In millions) Balance at December 31, 2019 $ (1.4) $ (0.7) $ (2.1) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (1) 1.3 (1.4) (0.1) Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (2) (1.4) — (1.4) Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) (0.1) (1.4) (1.5) Balance at December 31, 2020 $ (1.5) $ (2.1) $ (3.6) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (3) 1.0 1.3 2.3 Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) — — — Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 1.0 1.3 2.3 Balance at December 31, 2021 $ (0.5) $ (0.8) $ (1.3) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (4) (0.4) 3.3 2.9 Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) — — — Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) (0.4) 3.3 2.9 Balance at December 31, 2022 $ (0.9) $ 2.5 $ 1.6 (1) Net of tax expense of $0.3 million related to gains on cash flow hedges and tax benefit of $0.5 million related to the defined benefit pension plan. (2) Net of tax benefit of $0.6 million related to gains on cash flow hedges. (3) Net of tax expense of $0.5 million related to gains on cash flow hedges and tax expense of $0.5 million related to the defined benefit pension plan. (4) Net of tax benefit of $0.1 million related to losses on cash flow hedges and tax expense of $1.3 million related to the defined benefit pension plan.

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Segment Information (Tables) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$ 227,100,000	$ 298,200,000	$ 127,200,000
EchoPark Capital Expenditures	96,600,000	93,600,000	34,900,000
Franchised Dealerships Capital Expenditures	130,300,000	204,600,000	92,300,000
EchoPark Interest Expense, Other, Net	3,900,000	1,700,000	900,000
Franchised Segment Interest Expense, Other, Net	85,000,000	46,300,000	40,700,000
Gain on EchoPark Disposal			5,200,000
Gain on Franchise Disposal		1,800,000	4,000,000
Debt Extinguishment Costs		15,500,000
EchoPark Segment Assets	267,600,000	740,600,000
Franchised Dealerships Segment Assets	4,363,700,000	3,934,900,000
EchoPark Depreciation and Amortization	24,700,000	16,300,000	11,100,000
Franchised Dealerships Depreciation and Amortization	101,800,000	84,800,000	79,900,000
EchoPark Floorplan Exp	10,700,000	4,900,000	3,200,000
Franchised Dealerships Floorplan Exp	23,600,000	11,800,000	24,000,000
Segment Income	510,400,000	458,300,000	235,200,000
EchoPark Segment Income	(133,900,000)	(72,000,000)	4,000,000
Franchised Dealerships Segment Income	641,600,000	530,300,000	231,200,000
EchoPark Segment Revenue	2,463,000,000	2,345,300,000	1,419,000,000
EchoPark F&I Revenue	166,400,000	193,700,000	132,100,000
EchoPark Wholesale Revenue	170,600,000	110,000,000	28,700,000
EchoPark Used Vehicle Revenue	2,116,800,000	2,032,600,000	1,258,200,000
Franchised Dealerships Segment Revenue	11,484,600,000	10,051,100,000	8,348,000,000
Franchised Dealerships F&I Revenue	510,100,000	443,500,000	357,800,000
Franchised Dealerships Fixed Ops Revenue	1,588,000,000	1,340,400,000	1,194,400,000
Franchised Dealerships Used Vehicle Revenue	3,391,500,000	2,901,000,000	2,345,900,000
Franchised Dealerships Wholesale Revenue	$ 314,000,000	$ 257,200,000	$ 168,700,000

Leases, Codification Topic 842

Leases, Codification Topic 842 (Tables) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Leases, Codification Topic 842 (Tables) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Lease Cash [Abstract]
Finance Lease, Principal Payments	$ 8,400,000	$ 46,700,000
Finance Lease, Interest Payment on Liability	13,100,000	7,400,000
Operating Lease, Payments	54,300,000	62,200,000
Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Finance Lease Liability	137,700,000	151,600,000
Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability	$ 7,900,000	$ 15,900,000
Lease Other Information [Abstract]
Finance Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term	12 years 2 months 12 days	11 years 1 month 6 days
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term	9 years 2 months 12 days	9 years 4 months 24 days
Finance Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent	7.39%	7.39%
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent	6.43%	6.34%
Finance Lease, Liability, Payment, Due [Abstract]
Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Next Twelve Months	$ 26,300,000
Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Two	23,700,000
Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Three	24,600,000
Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Four	24,900,000
Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Five	70,000,000
Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due after Year Five	181,200,000
Finance Lease, Liability, Payment, Due	350,700,000
Finance Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount	111,000,000
Finance Lease, Liability, Current	11,100,000	$ 52,700,000
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payment, Due [Abstract]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Next Twelve Months	51,800,000
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Two	47,600,000
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Three	42,700,000
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Four	36,000,000
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Five	30,100,000
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due after Year Five	151,900,000
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due	360,100,000
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount	92,300,000
Operating lease liabilities	267,800,000
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received, Next Twelve Months	(5,400,000)
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received, Two Years	(3,600,000)
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received, Three Years	(1,700,000)
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received, Four Years	(1,500,000)
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received, Five Years	(1,400,000)
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received, Thereafter	0
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received	(13,600,000)
Lease, Cost [Abstract]
Finance Lease, ROU Asset, Amortization	13,600,000	7,200,000
Finance Lease, Interest Expense	13,100,000	7,400,000
Operating Lease, Cost	54,800,000	61,500,000
Short-term Lease, Cost	700,000	1,700,000
Variable Lease, Cost	9,000,000	9,300,000
Sublease Income	5,500,000	8,300,000
Lease, Cost	$ 85,700,000	$ 78,800,000

Description of Business and S_3

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) Segment reporting_unit	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022 Store	Dec. 31, 2022 store	Dec. 31, 2022 Dealerships	Dec. 31, 2022 Brand	Dec. 31, 2022 Collision	Dec. 31, 2022 State	Dec. 31, 2022
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of operating segments \| Segment	3
Number of new vehicle dealerships \| Dealerships						142
Number of states					21				18
Number of different brands of cars and light trucks \| Brand							28
Number of collision repair centers \| Collision								17
Operating lease liabilities	$ 267,800
ROU assets	260,700	$ 293,200
Amount recognized for floor plan assistance	$ 51,500	46,500	$ 40,600
Term for funding of finance contracts	10 days
Contracts in transit included in receivables, net	$ 216,800	143,000
Receivables, net	$ 462,400	401,100
Number of reporting units \| reporting_unit	3
Goodwill	$ 231,000	416,400	214,000
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables are limited primarily to receivables from automobile manufacturers	68,100	69,600
Advertising expense	95,400	61,600	42,200
Cooperative manufacturer credits advertising expenses	$ 30,800	22,100	$ 19,200
Number of reportable Segment \| Segment	3
Manufacturer Receivables included in receivables, net	$ 68,100	69,600
Other Receivables included in receivables, net	177,500	188,500
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	202,900	1,400
Northwest Motorsport
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of Stores \| Store				11
Financial institutions
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables are limited primarily to receivables from financial institutions	255,900	175,200
Franchise assets
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Franchise asset impairment charge	116,400	$ 0
Continuing operations \| Franchise assets
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Franchise asset impairment charge	116,400
Dealership
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of dealership that is accounted for under the equity method										50%
Franchised Dealerships [Member]
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of Stores \| Store				111
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	221,800
Echo Park [Member]
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of Stores \| Store				52
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	202,900
Powersports Dealerships
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of Stores \| store					8
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 9,200

Description of Business and S_4

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Cumulative Effect of Adjustments for Adoption of ASC 606 (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 14,001,100,000	$ 12,396,400,000	$ 9,767,000,000
Cost of Sales:
Total cost of sales	(11,684,100,000)	(10,482,100,000)	(8,343,400,000)
Operating income (loss)	314,000,000	538,400,000	33,900,000
Assets:
Receivables, net	462,400,000	401,100,000
Liabilities:
Other accrued liabilities	352,400,000	350,500,000
Stockholders’ Equity:
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	1,100,300,000	1,051,700,000
Parts, service and collision repair
Revenues:
Total revenues	1,599,700,000	1,340,400,000	1,194,300,000
Cost of Sales:
Total cost of sales	(807,200,000)	(667,500,000)	(599,000,000)
Finance, insurance and other, net
Revenues:
Total revenues	679,100,000	637,200,000	$ 489,900,000
ASU 2014-09 \| Finance, insurance and other, net
Assets:
Contract with Customer, Asset, Net, Current	$ 38,700,000	$ 34,900,000

Description of Business and S_5

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Range of Estimated Useful Lives (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Leasehold and Land Improvements \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	10 years
Leasehold and Land Improvements \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	40 years
Furniture Fixtures and Equipment [Member] \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Furniture Fixtures and Equipment [Member] \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	10 years

Business Acquisitions and Dis_3

Business Acquisitions and Dispositions - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) Dealerships	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) Store store Brand	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) Dealerships store	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) store	Dec. 06, 2021 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of franchise dealerships opened \| store		2	27
Number of EchoPark opened \| store			14	2
Number of franchises disposed \| store		0	1
Number of franchises disposed mid-line \| store				1
Cash generated from disposition			$ 6,600	$ 9,600
Number of franchises terminated	2		2	2
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross		$ 102,300
Number of RFJ Franchise Store Acquired \| store		22
Number of different brands of cars and light trucks \| Brand		28
Number of different brands of cars and light trucks \| Brand		28
Asset Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents		$ 9,400
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Receivables		31,400
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Inventory		253,500			$ 31,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Other		7,800			1,100
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment		129,700			500
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net		8,100			14,100
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill		398,200			33,200
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Assets		1,007,100
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Accounts Payable		5,300			$ (400)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Other		36,900
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities		42,200
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net		964,900
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue			$ 15,408,700	$ 12,526,000
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss)			$ 393,400	$ (42,900)
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Revenue of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual	$ 215,700
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Earnings or Loss of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual	$ 7,500
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Consideration Transferred		$ 14,700
Number of Powersports Stores Acquired \| store		2
Northwest Motorsport
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Stores \| Store		11
Number of Stores \| Store		11
RFJ
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, consideration amount		$ 964,900
Number of Stores \| Store		33
Number of different brands of cars and light trucks \| Brand		16
Number of Stores \| Store		33
Number of different brands of cars and light trucks \| Brand		16
RFJ \| Credit Facility [Domain]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, consideration amount		$ 222,400
Echo Park [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Stores \| Store		52
Number of Stores \| Store		52
Franchised Dealerships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Stores \| Store		111
Number of Stores \| Store		111
Franchised Dealerships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, consideration amount		$ 87,600

Business Acquisitions and Dis_4

Business Acquisitions and Dispositions - Revenues and Other Activities Associated with Disposed Dealerships Classified as Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax, Total	$ 0	$ 0	$ (1,000)

Business Acquisitions and Dis_5

Business Acquisitions and Dispositions - Revenues and Other Activities Associated with Disposed Dealerships That Remain in Continuing Operations (Details) - Disposed dealerships that remain in continuing operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from operations before taxes and items below	$ 200	$ (2,200)	$ (2,600)
Gain (loss) on disposal of dealerships (1)	0	2,300	3,100
Discontinued Operation Lease Exit Accrual Adjustments And Charges	0	400	0
Income (loss) before taxes	200	500	500
Total revenues	$ 0	$ 25,500	$ 52,100

Inventories and Related Notes_3

Inventories and Related Notes Payable - Floor Plan - Components of Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
New vehicles	$ 449,300	$ 273,100
Used vehicles	534,000	807,200
Service loaners	143,800	106,300
Parts, accessories and other	89,800	74,600
Inventories	$ 1,216,800	$ 1,261,200

Inventories and Related Notes_4

Inventories and Related Notes Payable - Floor Plan - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Average interest rate for new vehicle floor plan facilities	1.09%	0.74%	1.72%
Amount recognized for floor plan assistance	$ 51.5	$ 46.5	$ 40.6
Average interest rate for used vehicle floor plan facilities	3.87%	1.75%	2.02%

Property and Equipment - Compon

Property and Equipment - Components of Property and Equipment, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Less accumulated depreciation	$ (842,900)	$ (746,200)
Subtotal	1,561,700	1,461,000
Less assets held for sale	0	(2,200)
Property and equipment, net	1,561,700	1,458,800
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, at cost	478,200	447,400
Buildings and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, at cost	1,365,300	1,240,500
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, at cost	504,100	451,200
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, at cost	57,000	68,100
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Excluding Capital Leased Assets
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, at cost	$ 2,404,600	$ 2,207,200

Property and Equipment - Additi

Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Interest capitalized in conjunction with construction projects and software development	$ 1.6	$ 1.8	$ 0.8
Commitments for facility construction projects	$ 28.8

Property and Equipment - Impair

Property and Equipment - Impairment Charges (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and equipment impairment charges	$ 1,100

Intangible Assets and Goodwil_2

Intangible Assets and Goodwill - Changes in Carrying Amount of Franchise Assets and Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Net Goodwill
Beginning balance	$ 416,400	$ 214,000
Additions through current year acquisitions	14,300	204,000
Prior year acquisition allocations	3,200
Reductions from dispositions	0	(200)
Prior year acquisition allocations	(202,900)	(1,400)
Ending balance	231,000	416,400
Net of accumulated impairment losses	1,300,000	1,100,000
Net of accumulated impairment losses	1,300,000	1,100,000
Echo Park [Member]
Net Goodwill
Prior year acquisition allocations	(202,900)
Franchise assets
Franchise Assets
Beginning balance	480,200	64,300
Additions through current year acquisitions	33,100	415,900
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	0
Reductions from dispositions	(200)	0
Reductions from impairment	(116,400)	0
Ending balance	396,700	$ 480,200
Continuing operations \| Franchise assets
Franchise Assets
Reductions from impairment	$ (116,400)

Intangible Assets and Goodwil_3

Intangible Assets and Goodwill - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment	$ 202,900	$ 1,400
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	101,500	109,300	$ 15,900
Goodwill	231,000	416,400	$ 214,000
Franchise assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite life Intangible asset, impairment charge	116,400	$ 0
Franchise assets \| Continuing operations
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite life Intangible asset, impairment charge	$ 116,400

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Lo

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgage notes to finance companies - fixed rate, bearing interest from 2.05% to 7.03%	$ 1,779,600	$ 1,586,200
Debt issuance costs	(27,900)	(24,900)
Total debt	1,751,700	1,561,300
Less current maturities	(79,500)	(50,600)
Long-Term Debt	1,672,200	1,510,700
Mortgage notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Amount	186,600	213,400
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Amount	116,000	132,800
Mortgage notes to finance companies - fixed rate, bearing interest from 2.05% to 7.03%	302,600
2019 Mortgage Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Amount	327,000	90,000
Mortgage Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	186,600	213,400
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	174,000	216,600
2016 Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2016 Revolving Credit Facility	$ 0	0
2019 Mortgage Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate on debt agreement	1.25%
2019 Mortgage Facility Outstanding	$ 327,000
Debt Instrument, Unused Borrowing Capacity, Amount	173,000
Long Term Debt Prepayment	$ 500
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Increase (Decrease)	1.875%
4.625 Percent Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Subordinated Notes	$ 650,000	650,000
Total debt	$ 650,000	650,000
Stated interest rate on debt agreement	4.625%
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 519,500	655,900
4.875 Percent Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Subordinated Notes	500,000	500,000
Total debt	$ 500,000	500,000
Stated interest rate on debt agreement	4.875%
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 390,300	$ 504,800

Long-Term Debt - Future Maturit

Long-Term Debt - Future Maturities of Long-Term Debt (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2019	$ 79,500
2020	60,400
2021	113,200
2022	53,200
2023	291,900
Thereafter	1,181,400
Total	$ 1,779,600

Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt -

Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt - 2021 Credit Facilities (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum Borrowing 2019 Mortgage Facility	$ 500,000,000
2016 Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
2016 Revolving Credit Facility	0	$ 0
Revolving Credit Facility \| TwoThousandTwentyRevolvingCreditFacility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Current borrowing capacity	350,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 400,000,000
Allocation of credit facility increase, percentage	40%
DividendRestrictionMaximumAmountPerShare	$ 0.12
Revolving Credit Facility \| 2021 Floor Plan Facilities [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Current borrowing capacity	$ 2,600,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 2,900,000,000

Long-Term Debt - Notes Narrativ

Long-Term Debt - Notes Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Long-Term Debt - Notes Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding mortgage principal balance	$ 1,779,600,000	$ 1,586,200,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 1,779,600,000	$ 1,586,200,000
Mortgage notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt weighted average interest rate on note	5.14%	3.50%
Outstanding mortgage principal balance	$ 302,600,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 302,600,000
2019 Mortgage Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate on debt agreement	1.25%
DividendRestrictionMaximumAmountPerShare	$ 0.12
Term Loan, Principal Amount	$ 320,000,000
Prior Term Loan, Principal Amount	77,600,000
Delayed Draw-Term Loan, Aggregate Principal	85,000,000
Revolving Loan, Aggregate Principal	95,000,000
Outstanding Balance, Delayed Draw Credit Facility	7,000,000
Aggregate Commitments, 2019 Mortgage Facility	$ 500,000,000
2019 Mortgage Facility [Member] \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread LIBOR	2.25%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.25%
2019 Mortgage Facility [Member] \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread LIBOR	1.25%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.25%
4.625 Percent Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate on debt agreement	4.625%
Principal amount	$ 650,000,000
Early Redemption Price	104.625%
Debt Instrument Percentage Of Outstanding Principal Amount Redeemable Upon Event Of Early Redemption	35%
4.625 Percent Note [Member] \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Three [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption Price	102.313%
4.625 Percent Note [Member] \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Four
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption Price	101.156%
4.625 Percent Note [Member] \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Five
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption Price	100%
4.875 Percent Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate on debt agreement	4.875%
Principal amount	$ 500,000,000
Notes issued at a price of principal amount	100%
Early Redemption Price	104.875%
Debt Instrument Percentage Of Outstanding Principal Amount Redeemable Upon Event Of Early Redemption	35%
4.875 Percent Note [Member] \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Five
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption Price	102.438%

Long-Term Debt - Redemption Pri

Long-Term Debt - Redemption Price, Percentage (Details) - 4.875 Percent Note [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Five
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Redemption Price	102.438%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period 5 [Domain]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Redemption Price	101.625%
Debt Redemption Period Seven
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Redemption Price	100.813%
Debt Redemption Period Eight
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Redemption Price	100%

Long-Term Debt - Financial Cove

Long-Term Debt - Financial Covenants Include Required Specified Ratios (Details)	Dec. 31, 2022
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Minimum Consolidated Liquidity Ratio	138%
Minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio	187%
Maximum Consolidated Total Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio	231%
Required ratio
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Minimum Consolidated Liquidity Ratio	105%
Minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio	120%
Maximum Consolidated Total Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio	575%

Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt_2

Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt - Covenants (Details)	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)
2016 Credit facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Minimum EBTDAR to rent ratio	1,366%
2016 Credit facility \| Required ratio
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Minimum EBTDAR to rent ratio	150%
2019 Mortgage Facility [Member] \| Minimum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Net income and retained earnings free of restrictions	$ 331,000,000

Long-Term Debt - Derivative Ins

Long-Term Debt - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Unamortized premium	$ 1,700	$ 700
Incremental interest expense	0
Net benefit expected to be reclassified	0
Derivative, Fair Value, Net	$ 500

Long-Term Debt - Summary of Int

Long-Term Debt - Summary of Interest Received and Paid under Term of Cash Flow Swap (Details)	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Payment of interest rate	$ 0
One-month LIBOR rate	4.062%
Cash Flow Swap E
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 250,000,000
Pay Rate	3%
Cash Flow Swap F
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 250,000,000
Pay Rate	5%
Cash Flow Swap G
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 125,000,000
Pay Rate	5%

Income Taxes - Provision for In

Income Taxes - Provision for Income Taxes for Continuing Operations - Benefit (Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Current:
Federal	$ (93,800)	$ (80,400)	$ (33,800)
State	(20,400)	(16,600)	(16,600)
Total current	(114,200)	(97,000)	(50,400)
Deferred	12,700	(12,300)	34,500
Total provision for income taxes for continuing operations - benefit (expense)	$ (101,500)	$ (109,300)	$ (15,900)

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net long-term deferred tax asset	$ 22,000	$ 10,900
Gross deferred tax assets related to state net operating loss carryforwards	$ 163,600

Income Taxes - Reconciliation o

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of the Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate with Federal and State Overall Effective Income Tax Rate from Continuing Operations (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
U.S. statutory federal income tax rate	21%	21%	21%
Effective state income tax rate	7.80%	2.60%	(8.50%)
Valuation allowance adjustments	(0.80%)	0.20%	7.50%
Uncertain tax positions	(0.10%)	0.20%	(0.60%)
Effect of goodwill impairment and indefinite lived intangible assets	24.90%	0%	(60.20%)
Non-deductible compensation	2.20%	0.60%	(7.10%)
Other	(1.60%)	(0.70%)	(5.20%)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent, Total	53.40%	23.90%	(45.70%)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credit, Percent	0%	0%	7.40%

Income Taxes - Components of De

Income Taxes - Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Deferred tax assets:
Accruals and reserves	$ 33,900	$ 39,500
State net operating loss carryforwards	6,700	6,500
Basis difference in property and equipment	0	0
Deferred Tax Assets Basis Difference Related to ROU Assets	124,700	119,100
Other	5,000	5,800
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Total	170,300	170,900
Deferred tax liabilities:
Basis difference in property and equipment	(14,300)	(11,800)
Basis difference in goodwill	(6,300)	(27,300)
Deferred Tax Liability Basis Difference in ROU Assets	(119,300)	(115,400)
Other	(2,800)	(1,400)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(142,700)	(155,900)
Valuation allowance	(5,600)	(4,100)
Net deferred tax asset (liability)	$ (22,000)	$ 10,900

Related Parties - Additional In

Related Parties - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Costs	$ 2,500,000
SFC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Aggregate annual rent for leased aircraft usage	3,200,000	$ 3,100,000	$ 600,000
Oil-Chem
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Purchase from related party	1,100,000	1,200,000	1,400,000
SMISC Holdings, Inc.
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Purchase from related party	100,000	1,500,000	600,000
SMI subsidiaries
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Vehicle sales to related party	$ 40,000	$ 100,000	$ 100,000
Minimum \| Mr. Marcus G. Smith \| SFC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	10%

Capital Structure and Per Sha_2

Capital Structure and Per Share Data - Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) Class Vote $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) shares
Capital Structure And Per Share Data [Line Items]
Preferred stock shares authorized	3,000,000
Preferred stock, issued	0
Number of classes of common stock \| Class	2
Authorized amount expend on repurchase of shares \| $	$ 500,000,000
Class A convertible preferred stock
Capital Structure And Per Share Data [Line Items]
Preferred stock shares authorized	300,000
Preferred Stock par value (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 0.10
Preferred stock shares redeemed	13,801.5
Preferred stock redemption price (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 1,000
Series I Preferred Stock
Capital Structure And Per Share Data [Line Items]
Preferred stock authorized (in shares)	100,000
Series II Preferred Stock
Capital Structure And Per Share Data [Line Items]
Preferred stock authorized (in shares)	100,000
Series III Preferred Stock
Capital Structure And Per Share Data [Line Items]
Preferred stock authorized (in shares)	100,000
Class A common stock
Capital Structure And Per Share Data [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 0.01
Common stock, number of votes per share \| Vote	1
Number of shares of class A common stock issuable against each share of class B common stock	1
Authorized amount expend on repurchase of shares \| $		$ 1,000,000,000
Common stock class A, shares repurchased	43,370,598	37,808,540
Common stock class A, share repurchase price per share (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 23.68
Remaining authorized amount \| $	$ 464,300,000
Class B common stock
Capital Structure And Per Share Data [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized	30,000,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 0.01
Common stock, number of votes per share \| Vote	10

Capital Structure and Per Sha_3

Capital Structure and Per Share Data - Dilutive Effect on Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted Average Shares (in shares)		38,700	41,400	42,500
Weighted Average Shares, Diluted (in shares)		39,700	43,300	42,500
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations		$ 88,500,000	$ 348,900,000	$ (50,700,000)
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations, Basic, Per Share Amount (usd per share)		$ 2.29	$ 8.43	$ (1.19)
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations, Diluted (usd per share)		$ 2.23	$ 8.06	$ (1.19)
Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations, Earnings (loss), Amount		$ 0	$ 0	$ (700,000)
Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations, Basic earnings (loss), Per Share Amount (usd per share)		$ 0	$ 0	$ (0.02)
Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations, Diluted earnings (loss), Per Share Amount (usd per share)		$ 0	$ 0	$ (0.02)
Net Income (Loss), Amount	$ 88,500,000	$ 88,500,000	$ 348,900,000	$ (51,400,000)
Earnings (loss) per common share (usd per share)		$ 2.29	$ 8.43	$ (1.21)
Earnings (loss) per common share (usd per share)		$ 2.23	$ 8.06	$ (1.21)
Authorized amount expend on repurchase of shares		$ 500,000,000

Employee Benefit Plans - Additi

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) Employer Plans Members shares	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2022 shares	Jun. 30, 2021 shares	Jun. 30, 2020 shares	Jun. 30, 2019 shares	Jun. 30, 2016 shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of active stock compensation plans \| Plans	2
Restricted stock shares	600,000
Number of employers obligated to make contribution under multiemployer plan \| Employer	146
Number of employee increase / (decrease) under multiemployer benefit percentage	(4.30%)	8.50%
Total contributions of multi employer Plan		5%
SERP
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Members of senior management \| Members	13
Restricted stock units and restricted stock awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Tax benefit recognized \| $	$ 5.6	$ 4	$ 2.5
Restricted stock units and restricted stock awards \| Selling, general and administrative expenses
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense \| $	20.5	15	11.7
Restricted stock units and restricted stock awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense not yet recognized \| $	$ 38.4
Total compensation cost related to non-vested options expected to be recognized over weighted average period	3 years 7 months 6 days
401(k) plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Employer contribution \| $	$ 12.1	$ 10.4	$ 8.4
2012 Formula Plan \| Class A common stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized					500,000			300,000
2012 Plan \| Restricted stock units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock award vesting period	3 years
2012 Plan \| Restricted stock units \| Executive officers and other key associates
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock shares	547,000
2012 Plan \| Restricted stock awards \| Board of Directors
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock shares	27,000
2012 Plan \| Class A common stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized				8,000,000		6,000,000	4,000,000	2,000,000
2012 Formula Plan and 2004 Plan \| Class A common stock \| Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock option expiration period	10 years
2012 Formula Plan and 2004 Plan \| Class A common stock \| Options \| Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock award vesting period	3 years
2012 Formula Plan and 2004 Plan \| Class A common stock \| Restricted stock awards and restricted stock units \| Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock award vesting period	1 year
2012 Formula Plan and 2004 Plan \| Class A common stock \| Restricted stock awards and restricted stock units \| Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock award vesting period	3 years

Employee Benefit Plans - Status

Employee Benefit Plans - Status of Stock Options Related to Stock Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Outstanding Beginning Balance	1,800,000
Options Outstanding Exercisable	600,000
Options Outstanding Ending Balance	1,200,000	1,800,000
Exercise Price Per Share, Exercised	$ (500,000)
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Exercisable	$ 16.76	$ 16.76
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Exercisable	7 years 3 months 18 days	8 years 3 months 18 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Beginning Balance	$ 40,200	$ 57,900
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	20,600
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$ 18,000	$ 15,400	$ 0
Non-vested Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units, Granted	600,000
Executive officers and other key associates \| Restricted stock units \| 2012 Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Non-vested Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units, Granted	547,000
Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise Price Per Share, Exercisable	$ 16.76	$ 16.76
Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise Price Per Share, Exercisable	$ 16.76	$ 16.76

Employee Benefit Plans - Stat_2

Employee Benefit Plans - Status of Non-Vested Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Grants Related to Stock Plans (Details) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Non-vested Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units, Beginning Balance	1,500
Non-vested Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units, Granted	600
Non-vested Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units, Forfeited	0
Non-vested Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units, Vested	(600)
Non-vested Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units, Ending Balance	1,500
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share, Beginning Balance	$ 26.35
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share, Granted	49.30
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share, Forfeited	45.91
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share, Vested	22.30
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share, Ending Balance	36.12
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Option, Nonvested, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 4.17	$ 4.17	$ 4.17

Employee Benefit Plans - Stat_3

Employee Benefit Plans - Status of Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Change in fair value of plan assets:
Plan assets at January 1	$ 0
Actual return on plan assets	0	$ 0
Plan assets at December 31		0
Other Long-Term Liabilities	105,500	96,000
Other accrued liabilities	352,400	350,500
SERP
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Obligation at beginning of year	23,500	22,500
Service cost	1,600	2,700
Interest cost	600	500
Actuarial loss (gain)	(4,600)	(1,800)
Benefits paid	(400)	(400)
Obligation at end of year	20,700	23,500
Accumulated benefit obligation	15,500	18,600
Change in fair value of plan assets:
Plan assets at January 1	0	0
Employer contributions	400	400
Benefits paid	(400)	(400)
Plan assets at December 31	0	0
Funded status recognized	(20,700)	(23,500)
Other Long-Term Liabilities	20,300	23,100
Other accrued liabilities	$ 400	$ 400

Employee Benefit Plans - Cost C

Employee Benefit Plans - Cost Components of Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (Details) - SERP - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 1,600	$ 2,700
Interest cost	600	500
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gain (Loss)	0	100
Net pension expense (benefit)	$ 2,200	$ 3,300

Employee Benefit Plans - Weight

Employee Benefit Plans - Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligation and Net Periodic Benefit Costs (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Discount rate	4.93%	2.60%
Rate of compensation increase	3%	3%

Employee Benefit Plans - Estima

Employee Benefit Plans - Estimated Future Benefit Payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
2019	$ 400
2020	400
2021	400
2022	400
2023	500
2028 - 2032	$ 6,400

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedu

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Multi-Employer Pension Plans Affecting Period-to-Period Comparability of Contributions (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) store	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Pension Fund	AI Pension Plan
Entity Tax Identification Number	56-2010790
Multiemployer Plan, Pension, Insignificant, Certified Zone Status [Fixed List]	Red	Red
Sonic Contributions \| $	$ 200	$ 100	$ 200
Surcharge Imposed	Yes
Collective-Bargaining Agreement Expiration Date	BetweenNovember 2024and January 2025
Number of stores contributing to pension plan \| store	3

Fair Value Measurements - Asset

Fair Value Measurements - Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Liabilities:
Equity Securities without Readily Determinable Fair Value, Downward Price Adjustment, Annual Amount	$ (116,400)	$ 0
Goodwill	0	0
Goodwill
Liabilities:
Equity Securities without Readily Determinable Fair Value, Downward Price Adjustment, Annual Amount	(202,900)	0
Fair Value Based on Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Assets:
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	38,200	39,500
Total assets	38,200	39,500
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan	21,100	24,400
Total liabilities	$ 21,100	$ 24,400

Fair Value Measurements - Ass_2

Fair Value Measurements - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Non Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 0	$ 0
Franchise assets	254,700	0
Total Gain (loss) on long-lived assets held and used	(1,100)
Total Gain (loss) on goodwill	$ (202,900)	$ (1,400)

Fair Value Measurements - Fair

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value and Carrying Value of Fixed Rate Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Carrying Value	$ 1,751,700	$ 1,561,300
Mortgage Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	174,000	216,600
Long-term Debt, Carrying Value	$ 186,600	$ 213,400

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Maximum exposure associated with general indemnifications	$ 4
Contingent liability reserve balance after reduction	4.3
Other accrued liabilities
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Amount reserved for pending proceedings	0.4	$ 1.5
Other long-term liabilities
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Amount reserved for pending proceedings	$ 0.3	$ 0.3
Dealership
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Joint venture ownership percentage	50%
Minimum
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
General indemnifications expiration period	1 year
Maximum
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
General indemnifications expiration period	3 years

Commitments and Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies - Financial Covenants Related to Amended Subordination and Guaranty Agreement (Details)	Dec. 31, 2022
Subordination Agreement And Additional Financial Covenant [Line Items]
Minimum Consolidated Liquidity Ratio	138%
Minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio	187%
Maximum Consolidated Total Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio	231%
Required ratio
Subordination Agreement And Additional Financial Covenant [Line Items]
Minimum Consolidated Liquidity Ratio	105%
Minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio	120%
Maximum Consolidated Total Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio	575%

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 1,076,400	$ 814,800	$ 944,800
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	2,900	2,300	(100)
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	(1,400)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2,900	2,300	(1,500)
Ending Balance	895,200	1,076,400	814,800
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, tax expense	(100)	500	300
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), tax expense			(600)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, tax expense	(100)	500	300
Tax benefit associated with change in pension actuarial loss	1,300	500	(500)
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), tax expense			(600)
Gains and (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(500)	(1,500)	(1,400)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(400)	1,000	1,300
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	(1,400)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(400)	1,000	(100)
Ending Balance	(900)	(500)	(1,500)
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(800)	(2,100)	(700)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	3,300	1,300	(1,400)
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3,300	1,300	(1,400)
Ending Balance	2,500	(800)	(2,100)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(1,300)	(3,600)	(2,100)
Ending Balance	1,600	(1,300)	(3,600)
Tax benefit associated with change in pension actuarial loss	$ 1,300	$ 500	$ (500)

Segment Information - Additiona

Segment Information - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) Segment	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments \| Segment	3
Debt Extinguishment Costs		$ 15,500
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	$ 600	3,000
Nonrecurring Compensation Expense		$ 6,500
Gain on EchoPark Disposal			$ 5,200

Segment Information - Summary o

Segment Information - Summary of Reportable Operating Segment (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) Segment	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	$ 314,000,000	$ 538,400,000	$ 33,900,000
Interest expense, other, net	(89,900,000)	(48,000,000)	(41,600,000)
Other income (expense), net	200,000	(15,500,000)	100,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes	190,000,000	458,200,000	(34,800,000)
Segment Schedule Footnotes
Asset impairment charges	320,400,000	100,000	270,000,000
Nonrecurring Compensation Expense		6,500,000
Total floor plan interest expense	34,300,000	16,700,000	27,200,000
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	127,500,000	101,100,000	91,000,000
Total assets	4,978,300,000	4,975,100,000
Cash and cash equivalents	229,200,000	299,400,000	170,300,000	$ 29,100,000
Goodwill	231,000,000	416,400,000	214,000,000
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	396,700,000	480,200,000
Other corporate assets	$ 0	200,000
Number of operating segments \| Segment	3
Segment Income	$ 510,400,000	458,300,000	235,200,000
EchoPark Segment Income	(133,900,000)	(72,000,000)	4,000,000
Powersports Segment Segment Income	2,700,000	0	0
Segment Retail Units Sold
Franchised Dealerships Used Vehicle Revenue	3,391,500,000	2,901,000,000	2,345,900,000
Franchised Dealerships Wholesale Revenue	314,000,000	257,200,000	168,700,000
Franchised Dealerships Fixed Ops Revenue	1,588,000,000	1,340,400,000	1,194,400,000
Franchised Dealerships F&I Revenue	510,100,000	443,500,000	357,800,000
Franchised Dealerships Segment Revenue	11,484,600,000	10,051,100,000	8,348,000,000
EchoPark New Vehicle Revenue	9,200,000	9,000,000	0
EchoPark Used Vehicle Revenue	2,116,800,000	2,032,600,000	1,258,200,000
EchoPark Wholesale Revenue	170,600,000	110,000,000	28,700,000
EchoPark F&I Revenue	166,400,000	193,700,000	132,100,000
EchoPark Segment Revenue	2,463,000,000	2,345,300,000	1,419,000,000
Powersports Used Vehicle Revenue	7,100,000	0	0
Powersports Wholesale Vehicle Revenue	300,000	0	0
Powersports Fixed Ops Revenue	11,700,000	0	0
Powersports F&I Revenue	2,600,000	0	0
Powersports Segment Revenues	53,500,000	0	0
Total revenues	14,001,100,000	12,396,400,000	9,767,000,000
EchoPark Segment Assets	267,600,000	740,600,000
PowerSport Segment Assets [Domain]	117,800,000	0
Powersport Interest Expense, Other, Net	1,000,000	0	0
Powersports Floorplan Exp	0	0	0
Powersports Depreciation and Amortization	1,000,000	0	0
Gain on EchoPark Disposal			5,200,000
Debt Extinguishment Costs		15,500,000
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	600,000	3,000,000
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment	9,100,000
Gain (loss) pre-tax loss on long-term compensation expense	4,400,000
Powersports Capital Expenditures	200,000	0	0
Fleet New Vehicles [Member]
Segment Retail Units Sold
Total revenues	99,400,000	124,600,000	56,800,000
Total new vehicles
Segment Retail Units Sold
Total revenues	5,722,000,000	5,118,000,000	4,281,200,000
Retail New Vehicles [Member]
Segment Retail Units Sold
Powersports New Vehicle Revenue	31,800,000	0	0
Total revenues	5,622,600,000	4,993,400,000	4,224,400,000
EchoPark Total Impairment [Member]
Segment Schedule Footnotes
Asset impairment charges	204,900,000	100,000
Franchised Dealership Impairment [Member]
Segment Schedule Footnotes
Asset impairment charges	115,500,000		270,000,000
FranchisedDealershipMember [Member] \| Fleet New Vehicles [Member]
Segment Retail Units Sold
Total revenues	99,400,000	124,600,000	56,800,000
FranchisedDealershipMember [Member] \| TotalNewVehicle
Segment Retail Units Sold
Total revenues	5,681,000,000	5,109,000,000	4,281,200,000
FranchisedDealershipMember [Member] \| Retail New Vehicles [Member]
Segment Retail Units Sold
Total revenues	$ 5,581,600,000	4,984,400,000	4,224,400,000
Franchised Dealerships [Member]
Segment Schedule Footnotes
Asset impairment charges		$ 0
PreOwnedStoreMember [Member]
Segment Schedule Footnotes
Asset impairment charges			0
Operating segments \| Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes \| Franchised Dealership Impairment [Member]
Segment Schedule Footnotes
Asset impairment charges			$ 100,000

Summary of Quarterly Financial

Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Consolidated Statements of Income by Quarter (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Gross profit		$ 2,317,000	$ 1,914,300	$ 1,423,600
Net income (loss)	$ 88,500	$ 88,500	$ 348,900	$ (51,400)
Earnings (loss) per common share - Basic (usd per share)		$ 2.29	$ 8.43	$ (1.21)
Earnings (loss) per common share - Diluted (usd per share)		$ 2.23	$ 8.06	$ (1.21)

Summary of Quarterly Financia_2

Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Condensed Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Asset impairment charges	$ 320,400,000	$ 100,000	$ 270,000,000
Long-term compensation costs		6,500,000
Franchised dealerships
Condensed Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Asset impairment charges		$ 0

Leases, Codification Topic 84_2

Leases, Codification Topic 842 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease liabilities	$ 267,800
Finance Lease, Liability	239,700
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Finance Lease, Principal Payments	8,400	$ 46,700
Finance Lease, Interest Payment on Liability	13,100	7,400
Operating Lease, Payments	54,300	62,200
Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Finance Lease Liability	137,700	151,600
Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability	$ 7,900	$ 15,900
Finance Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term	12 years 2 months 12 days	11 years 1 month 6 days
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term	9 years 2 months 12 days	9 years 4 months 24 days
Finance Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent	7.39%	7.39%
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent	6.43%	6.34%

Subsequent Events (Details)

Subsequent Events (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022 store	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) store	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2022 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of franchises disposed \| store	0	1
Cash generated from disposition		$ 6,600	$ 9,600
Subsequent Class A Common Stock Repurchase \| shares				194,294
Subsequent Class A Common Stock Repurchase Ave Price \| $ / shares				$ 49.17
Subsequent Class A Common Stock Repurchase Amount				$ 454,800

Uncategorized Items - sah-20221

Label	Element	Value
Retained Earnings [Member]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 88,500,000