Anyone ever tip at Sonic?

[TLSnell1981]

I always tip.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

No one around me really tips people at Sonic..I used to before they installed the electronic card readers. I don't usually carry cash and there isn't a place on the boards to tip someone before your transaction is complete with your card.

And quite honestly none of the Sonics near me have any good employees and haven't for over 5 years. We've completely stopped going there because of it. We went there about a week and a half ago to the one closest to us which was the first time we had been to a Sonic in over a year (due to all the problems) and it took 20 mins to even get someone to take our order after pressing the button and a further 40 mins to get 2 shakes....it was busy but not that busy-it was even after they had stopped the half price shakes since the summer was over.

Another location seems to have a problem serving people of a certain race (and no it's not what you're thinking they actually have a problem serving people who appear to be white-one of my friends was straight up told by a car hop employee that they didn't want to serve her because she's white and has bi-racial children) which is not a normal thing at all in my area.

Another location overcharges you all the time. That location tried to argue with me because their sign said one price and they charged me another. When I wanted to speak to the manager the employee said "well the manager owns 60% of this place so he really doesn't care what you have to say" and she wasn't necessarily rude about it just more matter of fact about it.

Another location has the rudest employees possible.

Basically all the locations around me are franchised and don't care about complaints. I haven't met a genuinely nice employee for years.

 

[SMD]

I know that in CA they make minimum wage because we don't have separate tipped wages here. The first 2 times I went to Sonic I felt weird not tipping when they come to my car. I feel a little weird being served just a drink in my car to begin with. I told the girl who brought the order to keep the change but she gave it all back. The third time I finally asked if they were allowed to accept tips, and was told yes, so ever since then I have always tipped.

I love the raspberry limeade, but raspberry is a seasonal flavor here.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We've completely stopped going there

Yeah, I wouldn't tip at a place I wasn't patronizing, either

 

[KathyTX]

OF COURSE we tip the carhops! Just a dollar or two on a normal order, but it would never occur to me NOT to tip someone delivering my food.

 

[gotomu212]

I don't tip at Sonic because I don't equate it with waiting tables. At a restaurant they come to your table, take a drink order, deliver drinks, take your food order, deliver food, check to make sure everything is okay, check to refill drinks, clear plates, present a check, cash you out- that's what I equate to tipped waiting position.

At our sonic you order through a speaker, swipe your card at the speaker, and then someone comes out and simply hands you a bag of food, end of interaction.

I also echo people that say our Sonic doesn't give you an option to tip with a credit card and we are 100% cashless. They do make minimum wage here similar to all other fast food restaurants.

 

[Julie's Haircut]

Haven't been to a Sonic in several years. But, yes, I'd tip for carhop service. Not 20%, but usually a buck for bringing out the food.

 

[scrhsa]

If I have extra cash on me I do. I usually pay with my debit so I don't often have cash. But if I know I'm going I'll try to have at least a dollar to give.

 

[luvsJack]

I usually give them whatever coins come back in the change. A few times, a dollar.

Here they make slightly over minimum wage and a bit more if they roller skate.

 

[Nancyg56]

I do tip when they bring it to the car. Once, I tipped in the drive through because we ordered a lot of hand made drinks, and they were very confused by the tip. Are you sure the information you received is accurate? Also, server wage is only $2ish dollar per hour:

The American federal government requires a wage of at least $2.13 per hour be paid to employees that receive at least $30 per month in tips. If wages and tips do not equal the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour during any pay period, the employer is required to increase cash wages to compensate.

I run payroll for some small busineses in MA and I have my system set up to compensate any employee whose tips do not bring him to $10/00, which is the MA minimum wage. You are absolutely right, its the law, employers much make up the difference.

 

[QueenIsabella]

I tip when they rollerskate out to my car. Last time we went to Sonic, we got a bunch of drinks, and somehow the order got confused. It was my fault, so I tipped a couple extra bucks. We usually just go there for drinks, so even for 6 of us, you're talking less than $20, total. But they have to come out on those skates and all, and the employees are generally young and friendly--why not give a tip?

 

[verleniahall]

yes - we always tip at sonic

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Yes we tip at Sonic. Not a full 20% mind you because it's not full service. But yeah, she deserves a tip.

 

[Squirlz]

The only one I've been to you sit down and order with a phone and they bring your food to you, so I tip. I'd never eat in the car!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

No, I never tip at Sonic. I don't equate the carhop bringing me a bag with actual service.

OP, you said you were in Florida, and I am also. The one near my house advertises a starting wage of $10/hr.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

yes I tip at Sonic

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I am from the UK so thid is educational to me! I am glad I read this. We would not tip in the UK McDonalds and they do when busy bring it to the cars. But I will in the US now if somebody brings me food vs get it myself. We akways tip in table service of course.

But how cool they rollerskate? What! Oh yeah they will get a top tip from me! I must seek out one of these Sonics.

 

[JJZMgailey]

No, I never tip at Sonic. I don't equate the carhop bringing me a bag with actual service.

OP, you said you were in Florida, and I am also. The one near my house advertises a starting wage of $10/hr.

I wonder if Sonics are franchised? If they are, maybe the owners get to decide how their staff is paid.

It's interesting to me that it's about half and half here with those who tip and those who don't. I never have cash on me and always pay with a card. I make a connection with a tipping situation when there is a place on a receipt or an option somewhere to add a tip. It seems kind of strange to me that they expect a tip here at our Sonic but don't give you the option to add one. Oh well! Good thing I've only gone there like twice in the 3 years we've lived in Florida! LOL

In fact, another interesting bit of information to ponder - I used to regularly do mystery shops for Sonic when we lived up in Savannah and tipping was never discussed on any of the 12-pages of paperwork. Maybe it wasn't a thing in Georgia; I just don't know. Interesting for sure. #themoreyouknow

 

[King Schultz]

I wonder if Sonics are franchised? If they are, maybe the owners get to decide how their staff is paid.

It's interesting to me that it's about half and half here with those who tip and those who don't. I never have cash on me and always pay with a card. I make a connection with a tipping situation when there is a place on a receipt or an option somewhere to add a tip. It seems kind of strange to me that they expect a tip here at our Sonic but don't give you the option to add one. Oh well! Good thing I've only gone there like twice in the 3 years we've lived in Florida! LOL

In fact, another interesting bit of information to ponder - I used to regularly do mystery shops for Sonic when we lived up in Savannah and tipping was never discussed on any of the 12-pages of paperwork. Maybe it wasn't a thing in Georgia; I just don't know. Interesting for sure. #themoreyouknow

See, I'm surprised there are Sonics on the East coast. . . I always thought they were an Oklahoma/Midwest thing.

I know they're based in OK City and the first one was in Seminole, OK. and as far as I know they aren't franchised.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

See, I'm surprised there are Sonics on the East coast. . . I always thought they were an Oklahoma/Midwest thing.

I know they're based in OK City and the first one was in Seminole, OK. and as far as I know they aren't franchised.

They are indeed franchised.

http://sonicfranchises.com/