Do you tip at Sonic?

[Micca]

I tip at Sonic, no more than a buck. For fast food their stuff is kind of expensive to begin with.

 

[Southerngirl]

I tip a dollar or two if I get a big order but only the change in coin if I just stop by to get a drink.

 

[missypie]

Yes, I tip. I admit that I had been there three or four times before it occured to me to tip. I don't tip a percentage...$1 for a small order, $2 for a larger order.

Working Sonic is a big fundraiser here. I did a shift for DD's dance team. The group raising funds works for tips only. We had about 16 people working there over the course of two 4 hr shifts. We made $1200. Another group
I know of did it and made about $1300.

Of the people I served, about 2/3 tipped. Several gave large tips to support the dance team. Most give a buck or so, or say "keep the change." I waited on on lots of high schoolers and only one of them tipped.

When you walk up to their car and they are holding exact change in their hand, you know you aren't going to get a tip!

 

[rayelias]

$1 if it's just me. $2 if it's for 2.

I've noticed that they don't skate anymore. They just walk. I guess it has to do with insurance?

A buddy of mine has a "50's Style" type of restaurant. He was GOING to do the roller-skate thing. He didn't - it would've added $30,000 a year to his insurance! And this is just for one small restaurant!

 

[tiggerlover]

I mostly go to the drive thru on my way to work in the morning to get a diet cherry lemonade. My tab is usually $1.60ish and I usually give $2 and tell them to keep the change. Rarely to I order anything big, I suppose if I did it would depend on how much I ordered.

 

[raammartin]

I never tip at Sonic either. Never really thought about it.

 

[HappyMommy2]

I acutally called our local Sonic a couple of years ago because I wondered whether I was supposed to tip.
The manager said, exactly like this: "Well, TECHNICALLY we are a non-tipping establishment."

Not sure what to make of that!
I usually give a buck.

 

[dundee10]

Funny, I had just talked to a guy I go to church with, who manages a Sonic. He said the persons providing curb service do not make the usual minimum wage, but the restaurant minimum . . . something like $2/hr. So tipping is appreciated!

 

[krissy2803]

I have always tipped at Sonic. Usually like a buck or two. My DH is from New York, he tips everyone! He even tipped the guy who did our state inspection on the truck. I have never, ever seen anyone here in TX do that. But then again, maybe I just never looked and it's done all the time.

 

[rascalmom]

Funny, I had just talked to a guy I go to church with, who manages a Sonic. He said the persons providing curb service do not make the usual minimum wage, but the restaurant minimum . . . something like $2/hr. So tipping is appreciated!

That's interesting - one of my friend's daughters worked at Sonic this summer - she made $6 per hour. Maybe it depends on whether it is a franchise?

 

[SRUAlmn]

Hey OP! Thank you so much for posting this! My fiance and I just moved to Charleston, SC from Maryland and had never been to a Sonic before. We decided to go give it a try yesterday, but once we got there we decided to leave because we didn't know how the whole car hop/tipping thing worked and he suggested I post it on here to ask people so we could go back and not feel embarrassed. So don't worry, you're not alone.

And while we're on the subject....what's the best menu item?

 

[Meezers]

Sonic is the only one I tip at, however I would tip at any place with carhops. I'm not sure why carhops would be different than your average person behind the counter at McDonalds, but thats the way I have always done things.

ITA...they have to deal with weather....rain...heat...cold...

Plus...where else can I get a cherry limeade....addicted to those things! Corn dogs are good too!

 

[ibouncetoo]

Here's what I don't understand.

I go to Sonic drive through, place my order and pull forward an wait. Someone brings my bagged food. I go.

I go to Sonic, pull up to a parking slot, place my order and wait. Someone brings my bagged food. I go.

Why does one get tipped and not the other? Why should either get tipped? And I ask this question because I remember when there were REAL CARHOPS. They came to your car, took your order, brought your food on a tray, you STAYED there and ate it (and kept your eyes peeled for cute boys). When you were done the carhop came back, asked if you wanted anything else and took away your tray.....just like a waitress.

Now, I have tipped at Sonic about 90% of the time, but I've always wondered why. I don't think you should tip someone for handing you a bag of food.

 

[nativetxn]

I tip 20% at Sonic.

 

[WDWHound]

Why does one get tipped and not the other? Why should either get tipped? And I ask this question because I remember when there were REAL CARHOPS. They came to your car, took your order, brought your food on a tray, you STAYED there and ate it (and kept your eyes peeled for cute boys). When you were done the carhop came back, asked if you wanted anything else and took away your tray.....just like a waitress.

Now, I have tipped at Sonic about 90% of the time, but I've always wondered why. I don't think you should tip someone for handing you a bag of food.

You don't stay and eat there? Thats the whole point of Sonic for me.

I always stay and eat my food in the car at Sonic. The carhop doesn't bring a tray, but there is a little shelf under the menu and intercom where you can leave your bag when you are done. While I am eating my foot long Chile cheese coney (the one truly great Sonic menu item), the carhop will come by at least once to see if I need anything (napkin, ketchup, peppermint, whatever).

When I go to Sonic, most everyone there is eating in their cars. Your Sonic must be very differ from the ones around here.

 

[DVCLiz]

Here's what I don't understand.

I go to Sonic drive through, place my order and pull forward an wait. Someone brings my bagged food. I go.

I go to Sonic, pull up to a parking slot, place my order and wait. Someone brings my bagged food. I go.

Why does one get tipped and not the other? Why should either get tipped? And I ask this question because I remember when there were REAL CARHOPS. They came to your car, took your order, brought your food on a tray, you STAYED there and ate it (and kept your eyes peeled for cute boys). When you were done the carhop came back, asked if you wanted anything else and took away your tray.....just like a waitress.

Now, I have tipped at Sonic about 90% of the time, but I've always wondered why. I don't think you should tip someone for handing you a bag of food.

I have three choices at the various Sonics in and near my city.

1. Drive up to a menu/speaker, order at the menu, pull up and wait for my food to be brought out to me. I tip for this.

2. Pull into a parking spot, order at the menu, and wait for my food to be brought out to me. I tip for this.

3. Drive up to a menu/speaker, order, then drive up to a window where my food is handed to me. I don't tip for this.

In other words, if you have to leave the building to bring me my order, I'll tip you. If you stay in the building and hand it through a window, I don't.

 

[Mimi Q]

Yes I do.

 

[gshanny]

We usually tip $1.

 

[Maleficent13]

No Sonics here.

But I would tip if I was eating there, and probably not if it was pick-up/drive-thru.

 

[Bob NC]

And while we're on the subject....what's the best menu item?

GOTTA be the breakfast burrito!!!!!!! Everything else is greasy and gross.