Sonic

Serious Sonic Envy here. We DON'T HAVE a SONIC, but if we did, yes, I'd tip 15-20% same as any other 'server', that is IF WE HAD A SONIC, which we don't (tears roll down cheeks).

I mean, not that I'm bitter.

:(

(Reading other responses, OMG some people have MORE THAN ONE Sonic to choose from?! SA-WEET!)

Yes I always tip...if we are just getting drinks then I just tip a dollar, if we get meals then I will tip between $2 and $3, depending on if it is just me and my SO or me and my car full of kiddos. They have to work in all weather, and they are usually so friendly and polite.

I don't tip at Sonic. Their car-hops are not servers and they don't get server pay- they get paid minimum wage the same as any other job (not the low server pay, 2 or 3 bucks an hour).

I always tip unless I don't have cash. I wish you could put a tip on your credit card there! If I'm just getting a drink, I tell them to keep the change (coins). If I'm getting food, then $1-2, depending on how big the order is. And I always tip more for the carhops on skates. Ummm, now I'm craving a cherry limeade slush!

I always did. It never hurts to tip a server!

i tip. according to the size of my order they had to carry. If it's just a drink, maybe 25c. I think if every person that bought a drink just gave them 25c they would have some cash by the end of the day.

If it's my drink and food, I let them keep the change, making sure they get at least 75c. They make minimum wage, so it's not the same as a waiter making 2.10 and hour. But, they are coming out in the heat for me. So, I give them a little something and if everyone did, it woulkd add up.

I worked with a lady whose high school daughter worked at Sonic part time and she told me how excited her daughter gets when someone gives her a tip. She said it didn't even have to be a big one, just something. Before then I would maybe give the carhop the change but now I give them at least a dollar plus change.

Good question. We have one that we just started going to and it never occurred to me to tip them. And I'm not cheap either, I always tip 20% or more at a restaraunt. I just considered this like a drive-thru. Do you all tip at the drive-thru too (like McDonalds)?

I always tip a dollar. I had a friend whose daughter was a car-hop and at ours they did get server's wages, not minimum wage. I wouldn't see any reason to leave a tip at a drive-thru window. And I can't believe someone would ask a carhop to dispose of a diaper for them!

If they come to the car then I tip them a dollar or two. If I go through the drive through then no, I do not.

I do. It depends on what's in my change jar. If I have ones I'll give a couple. My order is usually pretty small at sonic.

I usually tip a dollar. So does my husband. The people at Sonic treat us well, we go there at least twice a week. My husband stops everyday on the way to work for breakfast during the school year.

The pay must vary at Sonics because I had a student who worked there, and she got paid regular minimum wage. I even asked her if she expected tips, and she laughed. Evidently, this is the big joke/topic for the carhops. It's fast food, so they aren't supposed to expect it. Some places even make them combine all tips and either split them among the staff or donate them. Do you need to or have to? No. If you want to, sure. :)

I used to have a reference guide for this but I can't find it.

Yes, you should tip for all services that are low wage like carhops, car wash attendants (where they actually do the cleaning, not just the automated one), waitresses, etc. The amount varies for the type of service (a waitress does more for the customer than a carhop, so the tip percentage is higher). At Sonic, I usually give them a dollar if I order a meal, $.50 if I just get a happy hour drink.

oh yea I tip!! The one that I go to, in OP, I always tip them good because they are fast and friendly, not like the Sonic in Olathe. If I go get a half price drink, I give them 1.50, which is about the same as buying it for full price. I just appreciate them being so nice, since the one I USED to go to in Olathe, they are all crabby and never answer when you push the button.

No tip for bad service to 15% for excellent service. If the car hop does extra things for you, (put this diaper in the trash for me please . . .) you give more.

I use the same principle when I eat at a restaurant, although if the service is real bad, I stack the dishes and turn a coffee cup upside down on top and I leave two cents on the bottom of the cup.

I agree with Theresa N. I wish we had a Sonic here. Good luck to you and yours.

Oh yes, you keep on doing that.
We always tip at Sonic.
They are thankful and they are counting on that as part of their pay.

Tell your friend that she needs to start tiping at Sonic.

WE LOVE SONIC.

Here is some new information about Sonic that makes us sad. They have stopped with the chicken strip dinner. They also do not offer the white country gravy anymore. OH, SO SAD! That country gravy was the best.

= )

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ADDED

They DO NOT get paid minimum wage. They are counting on tips as part of their pay.
If anyone is in doubt call your local Sonic and ask and they will tell you.

It depends. Some of the Sonics around here have drive thru windows. So no tip there! The ones that do not have a window, have a drive up line, and the "hop" walks out the door about 5 feet to your car window. I usually give them the "change", never less than about 50¢ though. (If the "change" isn't that much, I throw in enough). If I park at a "booth", then I tip a dollar or so. If I am in the drive up line, but the hop brings out my stuff before the other cars in front of me (which they will if your order is ready first, like if you just order a drink and the cars in front ordered food)... then they probably get a $1.00.

It is not the same as restaurant service, they aren't cleaning up after me, or bringing me extras or refilling drinks and checking on us. They are bringing me a bag and a cup (or 2)... kinda like the bag boy at the grocery store. They are paid minimum wage, not "server" wages ($2.10/hr).