Do I tip the roller skate girl at Sonic?

[momsavealot]

who brings out our food? I'm really bad at knowing when and when not to tip! Thanks!

 

[Momto3Girls&Max]

Yep, you're supposed to.

 

[luvdzne]

I'm so glad you asked this. We got a new one in our area and I've only stopped a couple of times to get a slushy. I never knew if I was suppose to tip them for that or not.

 

[madge]

Yep, you're supposed to.

I think it's tricky ... I've asked (at Sonic) and been told no, I've asked and been told yes ...

 

[momsavealot]

Yep, you're supposed to.

Good to know. We just got a new Sonic in our neighborhood and as we were leaving, I noticed they have a Drive-thru also. Since we just ate in our car anyway, I guess I'll just do the drive thru or even better, stick to the other cheaper fast food joints.

 

[fiveforall]

I asked the manager (he's a friend) of our local Sonic and he said they are not supposed to accept tips.

 

[ElleBren]

As a former Sonic Carhop(people who bring out the food) I always appreciated tips. When I would go (not thru the drive-thru) I would usually leave the change & or a dollar, Especially if they were on skates. It really sucked to have a 12 hour shift all on roller skates.

I wouldn't tip via drive-thru, nor did I expect it.

I wish I had a sonic closer, I miss their onion rings and shakes!

 

[ceecee]

Every time we've gone to Sonic, we tip and they accept it. It's no different than waiting a table in my opinion. Probably worse, ours don't skate though.

 

[HunnyPots]

Car hops at our Sonic make $7 an hour so tips are appreciated but completely optional.

 

[amsyw]

I'm a former "carhop" from Sonic also! Although we didn't have the roller skates at the time. I still frequent the same Sonic and occasionally you will see a carhop on skates.

As for tips... The carhops make minimum wage, which is better than most waitresses. However, most watresses don't have to go outside in rain, snow sleet and hail. I ALWAYS tip! Even if it's just a quarter for a drink or a dollar or two for a meal or two. They are always grateful when I do.

Some of the newer Sonics do have the drive-thru option, so obviously you wouldn't tip those. But I think if you are delivering my meal to me at my car you deserve a tip. Just my 2c's...

 

[MickeyNicki]

The one time we tried (Sarasota) they told us they do not accept tips

 

[anotherdisneygal]

I miss sonic...

But yes, I try to always tip (if they are on skates I try extra hard to tip). There have been times when I have had difficulty getting them to take the tips.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

I always tip.

 

[LeeLeeLuvsDisney]

We tip them a dollar for bringing out food/drinks for the two of us. They have never NOT taken our tip.

 

[PinkRhombus]

If I have to yell my order at a box, I do not tip. And I use my debit card, anyway. Which I also have to climb halfway out my door to put in the scanner thingie.

Instead of carrying the order over to the counter, they take a couple of steps (or rolls) out the door. They don't come back to check on me, they don't offer refills.

 

[CarolA]

If I have to yell my order at a box, I do not tip. And I use my debit card, anyway. Which I also have to climb halfway out my door to put in the scanner thingie.

Instead of carrying the order over to the counter, they take a couple of steps (or rolls) out the door. They don't come back to check on me, they don't offer refills.

I tip and they come back to check on me... Maybe you should try it?

 

[kimsuenew]

Every time we've gone to Sonic, we tip and they accept it. It's no different than waiting a table in my opinion. Probably worse, ours don't skate though.

Ditto for us!

We love Sonic and only recently got a couple somewhat near our home (about 35 miles to both, in different directions). We have often stopped on vacation in different states, and to these two newer ones close by, and we have always tipped (unless using the drive-thru... which is rare). It never occured to us not to... as they bring food to you. We have never had a tip refused at any location! I am not sure about their rate of pay or of Sonic's overall policy... but the servers always seem grateful and accept (so I don't think it is prohibited).

 

[disneybridetobe]

I've had them both accept a tip and say they can't accept it.

 

[Sleepy]

I asked the manager (he's a friend) of our local Sonic and he said they are not supposed to accept tips.

The one in Newport News, Va had a drive thru habit of pushing people forward and having someone bring the food to the car and when you would give them money to pay for your food, they would look at you and say "Do you want change?" of course I want change. I am not about to give you an $8 tip for something an employee at McDonald's does for free!
This was an extremely annoying habit that happened everytime we would visit.

 

[ElleBren]

The one in Newport News, Va had a drive thru habit of pushing people forward and having someone bring the food to the car and when you would give them money to pay for your food, they would look at you and say "Do you want change?" of course I want change. I am not about to give you an $8 tip for something an employee at McDonald's does for free!
This was an extremely annoying habit that happened everytime we would visit.

Personally I never expected a tip ever so I would always get the change ready and if someone said keep the change or don't worry I would appreciate it.

Also no matter if you tipped or not every 10 minutes someone went out to see if people needed anything. Only if there weren't any cars would we not go out.

The reason why every restaurant is different is because most are individually owned and while they have many things that keep them regulated with other Sonics. I believe each owner can choose whether or not the carhops can accept tips. Also I would have killed to make 7 an hour. I was somewhere in the 4s when I worked there.