bettyandbob Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Did you know that Sonic employees are considered tipped employees and are paid less than minimum wage. I've only been to Sonic a couple times. Franchises are not common in my area. The credit card machines are not set up for tipping and there's no top line on the print out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Their no tip line always drove me nuts. I never stopped unless I had cash. I'm kind of happy one of my kids got sick after going to Sonic. It was a virus, not the food, but now he has a mental connection and we no longer go, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TammyS Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 That's terrible. I wouldn't tip at a Sonic, or not more than like a buck. Carrying a tray to my car is hardly service. I don't know how they get people to work there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 During half the year hear I wonder if anyone actually eats in their car at Sonic. It's too friggin cold. I've never been there so I don't even know what it's like. We got one nearby fairly recently. But yeah that's not the kind of place I'd think to tip at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted January 12, 2017 Author Share Posted January 12, 2017 I decided I wouldn't go back because it seems wrong to me. Employees have taxes based on federal minimum wage, but employers are paying significantly less and it's really fast food, not a restaurant that relies heavily on "service." 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXBeth Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 This must depend on the location. mybsister and I both worked at Sonic through high school and they paid minimum wage. Add to that the fact that some people tipped like a restaurant and most at least left the change to make an even dollar, and we made really good money. I never felt entitled to the tips, though, because we really didn't do much more than a McDonald's cashier. I don't tip at Sonic. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXBeth Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I decided I wouldn't go back because it seems wrong to me. Employees have taxes based on federal minimum wage, but employers are paying significantly less and it's really fast food, not a restaurant that relies heavily on "service." This thing about the taxes is a common misconception that some servers like to propagate. You do not get taxes on more than you make. ever. Evem at a regular restaurant like Olive Garden. Every day you have to fill out a form saying how much you made in tips. That way the employer can withhold taxes and SS on that amount. But if for some reason your average for a pay period ends up less than minimum wage, the employer is legally required to make up the difference. No one pays taxes on minimum wage but gets paid less. Tips are legally considered income, so you have to pay taxes on them, even though a lot of servers under-report their tips to get out of the taxes. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted January 12, 2017 Author Share Posted January 12, 2017 How is one supposed to know if at a certain location Sonic car hops get minimum wage or if they are being paid an average of $6.20/hour while taxed on minimum wage. (I got that rate from glass door). I have to assume the whole chain is suspect and not contribute to profits unless there is a way to distinguish locations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXBeth Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 That $6.20/hr is based on what the employees SAY they make, not what they actually make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted January 12, 2017 Author Share Posted January 12, 2017 That $6.20/hr is based on what the employees SAY they make, not what they actually make. Is Sonic refuting that they pay under minimum wage. I've found articles saying they pay less than minimum, but no place where Sonic is quoted saying what they actually pay or where Sonics refutes that they pay under minimum. I would assume a business would want to refute paying less than minimum wage if they could, since it makes them look bad. Since Sonic's isn't refuting that they pay under minimum and there's no way to distinguish locations I have to assume all employees are getting a bad deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
historically accurate Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 We only went to Sonic one time because my kids got free stuff for the summer reading program. Our Sonic closed down last year; apparently no one else ever went there! There is one in the next town over, but we've never been. I guess I won't start going. I don't know how you'd know if they were tipped or not (especially if they don't have a line on cc receipts to tip). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 We always tip at Sonic. Here they're friendly, your order is usually correct, and they will bring it to your car as well as get you anything else you need so I have no issue giving them a few bucks. It's not quite the same as handing it out a window. Plus the kids think it's cool watching them zip around on roller blades. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenC Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 We've only been to Sonic a few times and always through the drive-thru. I've never tipped there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 (edited) I was at Sonic just yesterday afternoon. We go frequently. (Well, more frequently when we used to live within walking distance of one. Now we have to drive 2 hours to go to the closest one.) Anyway.... We always tip unless we use the drive-thru. Edited January 12, 2017 by Kinsa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeaganS Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 We always tip at Sonic. Here they're friendly, your order is usually correct, and they will bring it to your car as well as get you anything else you need so I have no issue giving them a few bucks. It's not quite the same as handing it out a window. Plus the kids think it's cool watching them zip around on roller blades. :) I worked at sonic in high school. We were paid minimum wage, and had nothing to do with the correctness of the order as a carhop. Another employee filled up the tray with the order and my job was to carry it out to them. That's was it. I did make decent money in tips there, but I don't tip. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MooCow Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 We tip. Always have. None of ours have drive thru, only drive in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 If I'm paying cash, I tip....but if I use the credit card machine, there's no way to add a tip...so I dig in my purse and see what I can find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I usually use the little pull in spots at Sonic instead of the drive up, and I try to tip. Half price drinks and slushes is a great deal for a large family and makes nice treats on hot days. And not having to get everyone out of the car is always good IMO. They're generally friendly and sweet too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outdoorsy Type Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I usually tip rounding up to the nearest dollar if it's over .25 worth or add a quarter to that amount. So around .25-.75 if everyone did that they would make a ton of money in tips. You're in and out usually in 10-15min max and the place is always full here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootAnn Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 DD has a friend who works at the local Sonic. After she started, we were all told (by her parents) about tipping. None of us knew you were supposed to tip the carhop. Learn something new everyday. The drive through is the quickest service. If you pull in to one of the side spots, it'll take at least 20 minutes to get your order to you. They almost always get something wrong or forget something. The manager lives up the street from me and isn't the nicest employer to work for. We try not to go much, but I now balance how yucky it would be to work for the manager with how badly the order is messed up when determining how much to tip. We also don't go unless we have at least 30 minutes to burn since it takes forever to get your (original, messed up) order. It is also the hotbed of the local high school gossip. Another reason not to go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 (edited) I'm surprised that people don't know to tip at Sonic. I've just always known, I guess. Isn't it written in the cosmos or something? One of the laws of the universe, like gravity or something? LOL Edited January 12, 2017 by Kinsa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjzimmer1 Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I've only been to Sonic twice. Once we walked in and got it to go, the other time I went through the drive through. I would never have considered tipping in either of those instances. I've never done the car hop thing but if I had I would probably leave a small tip but not the same percentage as i would a sit down restaurant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theelfqueen Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I tip if they're on roller skates LOL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mimm Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Huh. I definitely tip in general but never at Sonic. Bringing my food out to the car needs a tip? Ridiculous! This makes me want to not go there anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mimm Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 This thing about the taxes is a common misconception that some servers like to propagate. You do not get taxes on more than you make. ever. Evem at a regular restaurant like Olive Garden. Every day you have to fill out a form saying how much you made in tips. That way the employer can withhold taxes and SS on that amount. But if for some reason your average for a pay period ends up less than minimum wage, the employer is legally required to make up the difference. No one pays taxes on minimum wage but gets paid less. Tips are legally considered income, so you have to pay taxes on them, even though a lot of servers under-report their tips to get out of the taxes. This may be the law but I know some people aren't complying with it. When I was a server waaay back in high school (in the 90s) our employer filed as if they were paying us minimum wage but we were getting significantly less (like $2.50/hr). But with tips we ended up making more almost always. The first day I was at this one job, the woman who was training me said to keep track of tips and let them know if we make a different amount than minimum wage. I think she was supposed to tell me this (and she didn't explain it very well) but no one ever did and no one ever mentioned it to me again. I was just a teenager and I didn't know any different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebcoola Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I don't tip at sonic and it never occured to think you would. I know her they have to be getting minimum wage here all servers do. Now that they the minimum wage $13 here I think that is plenty for that particular service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bensmom Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 We go to Sonic a couple of times a week for drinks during happy hour. It costs too much for pop when I have to tip if it is not 1/2 price hours! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikiSC Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 My mom asked the manager at the local Sonic about tipping since there was no line on the receipt. She was told that they pay minimum wage so tips aren't necessary. We still tip though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Excelsior! Academy Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Until I learned differently I thought of Sonic like a glorified drive-thru and never tipped. Now I tip. If I don't have cash for a tip then I try not to stop even for the credit card machine. Some Sonics do allow tips on credit cards, though most don't. I've heard they plan to move away from tipping and will raise the basic pay, but not sure if that is just rumor or will truly happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 We've always tipped at Sonic. Even the time we went to one that was out of tots. :svengo: Dh and I have always thought it funny that Sonic has a drive-thru when the whole point of Sonic is to get served at your car. :laugh: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderchica Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Our local pays minimum wage. Where did you hear they're paid less? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Carhops at Sonic are not paid minimum wage; they are paid server wage, just like your server at Olive Garden, somewhere around $2-3/hour, plus an extra $1/hour if they wear skates. They need to be tipped, even though the credit card payment system does not allow for tipping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abacus2 Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 I learned that some people tipped at Sonic after I had been going there for a very long time. I worried about it a little, but then they came in with the card scanners that had no place for a tip. I routinely tip at restaurants, but I don't go out of my way to do so. I don't tip at Sonic and I don't add to a tip already added to my bill at 18% even though I otherwise would tip at least 20%. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 (edited) Well, a bunch of you are saying they're paid minimum wage and a bunch of you are saying they aren't. So who's right? I don't tip and never thought I was supposed to and I don't carry cash of any kind, not even spare change. I mean, if one doesn't carry cash, then one never is given change, so one never has spare change. I have my Aldi-cart quarter but that's it. Oh, I do keep about 10 quarters in the car in case I have to park at a meter unexpectedly. I never touch the meter-quarters. This is a pickle. What to do, what to do? I go to Sonic twice a month before I do my twice-monthly grocery shopping. Edited January 13, 2017 by Garga Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Saturday I will be stopping at Sonic for a sugar-free slush with pop-rocks added. (I justify the pop-rocks because it's sugar-free.) I blame you ladies for this! :) My kids, however, will think you are awesome because they love Sonic. I will make sure i have some cash for tipping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abacus2 Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Saturday I will be stopping at Sonic for a sugar-free slush with pop-rocks added. (I justify the pop-rocks because it's sugar-free.) I blame you ladies for this! :) My kids, however, will think you are awesome because they love Sonic. I will make sure i have some cash for tipping. I have terrible news for you. There is no such thing as a sugar-free slush at sonic. All of their slushes are made with their sugar/ice slush base. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 I have terrible news for you. There is no such thing as a sugar-free slush at sonic. All of their slushes are made with their sugar/ice slush base. I thought they had a diet cherry or sugar free cherry or some such thing?? Ha! No wonder it tastes so good. Surely I'm saving 10 calories by choosing the diet over regular?? :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abacus2 Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 I thought they had a diet cherry or sugar free cherry or some such thing?? Ha! No wonder it tastes so good. Surely I'm saving 10 calories by choosing the diet over regular?? :laugh: Yep, saving 10 calories. They have sugar-free cherry flavoring, but all the slushes are made with their sugar/ice slush base. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frances Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Did you know that Sonic employees are considered tipped employees and are paid less than minimum wage. I've only been to Sonic a couple times. Franchises are not common in my area. The credit card machines are not set up for tipping and there's no top line on the print out. Not in my state, this is not allowed. No one is allowed to be paid less than minimum wage, not even tipped employees. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartlikealion Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 I've always been foggy on this. Dh's sister used to work at one. She would skate to the cars. He is unimpressed with most of the employees as they walk to the cars lol. We did spot a guy on skates recently and I was shocked. I don't know if I had ever seen a Sonic employee on skates. They are really bad about customer service around here. They don't offer you condiments and then when you ask they don't have them on the tray or in their apron so they go back inside. Sometimes they take forever or forget about you. One time we went to redeem a free cone that ds earned. I asked about the coupon at the speaker. They took it at my car and said they'd ask the manager about it. I thought they were going to return to say, "this is fine" or whatever. But they never came back!! I finally hit the button to speak to them and they said everything was fine. No, "Sorry, we didn't know you were waiting outside" or anything. At least one of the Sonics around here has updated order screens now so you can see the order. I have been to a couple where aside from parking there is an actual drive-thru. I think they might still bring the food to your car by exiting the door and walking it to you, though. I don't remember if there's a window where they pass it to you. Well, I can't imagine how that would work for tipping. Do you tip if you park but not if you drive through? What's the difference? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebcoola Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 State law is different some allow tipped workers to be paid lower than minimum wage others do not. In my state all workers make at least minimum wage before tips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeacefulChaos Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 We always tip at Sonic. Here they're friendly, your order is usually correct, and they will bring it to your car as well as get you anything else you need so I have no issue giving them a few bucks. It's not quite the same as handing it out a window. Plus the kids think it's cool watching them zip around on roller blades. :) :iagree: Same here. . :) The one I found really weird was our local coffee shop. I'm hearing now that apparently they are paid servers wages - neither I or most of the people I know have ever thought to tip the people making our coffee!!! I thought that was really weird/unusual. And unfortunate. Oh, well, I don't go there because the coffee sucks, anyway. :P :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 I live in a state where there is not a lower minimum wage for servers and tipped workers. I don't think I've ever tipped at Sonic but I also don't think their point of sale system gives us the option to tip. We don't go very often. There are none in our area. But every so often we stop there for drinks on a road trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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