Sonic Drive-In
Reviews and Complaints

Sometimes you aren't in a position to go back to the restaurant, even under the worst of conditions. I once ordered two burgers and a soda at another fast food franchise after leaving a doctor's office across town from my employer. I get back to work, hit my desk, open my bag to find that both sandwiches had cheese which I had emphasized I did not want not once but twice (I am lactose intolerant) and my soda was supposed to be diet but was regular (I have diabetic issues as well). So, in essence, I had no lunch and was out over $5.00. I also couldn't leave work to travel 20 minutes back across town. When I called the restaurant, they asked that I bring everything back and they would make it right. When I explained the situation, they told me they didn't give credits or rain checks. I was so very tempted to take the food out, leave it in my hot car in the sun then take it back that evening but it wasn't worth the effort or spite...instead I told all of my friends, changed my facebook status for a day to recommend avoiding that restaurant, and twittered it to everyone on my list. Within six months the local franchise of that chain was completely closed. As a former restaurant manager I realize that everyone makes mistakes, but no matter where you work it is your job to give the customer what they have purchased, with reasonable expectations of cleanliness and appropriate temperature. If you don't you aren't doing your job and you don't need to be in it. Just my two cents.

Exactly the same thing happened to me. I was fired after 2 months of working there because " I didn't have the right personality for the job and wasn't catching on fast enough" I was never trained and only learned how to do drive thru. I really hope all sonics aren't managed this way. They only make up things to fire you just because they don't like you.

Sonic has a corporate complaint line. It is [protected]. Please be sure to call this number if you want your voice to be heard. If they hear from all of us, they may change their policies.

common sense is now uncommon sense.

Are you serious? The last time I checked the coffee was supposed to be really hot
Plus they cant control it anyway. We have a machine where all we do is press a button and it comes out.
They cant help how "hot" it is =/ Do what most people do when they get coffee, blow and let it cool off before drinking.

I was told that they wasn't going to give me my last pay check until real late but they would be closed when I would be able to get it. They pay you at really horrible times especially the sonic ion Zero St in Fort Smith, AR.

The number is actually 1-866-OK-SONIC. The information provided about the hotline is mostly true with one huge exception. Priority complaints, as we call them, have no bearing whatsoever on the franchise agreement between the owner and Sonic Corp. Franchise rights cannot be stripped because of priority complaints, only for such things that fall into the category of failure to operate in accordance to the franchise agreement. This includes issues such as not ordering the correct food from the correct place, unsanitary work practices, or failure to pay royalties. Please don't go blasting anyone with complaints and threaten to have their franchise rights revoked. The partner will most likely laugh at you when you say this.

after calling in a complaint about being charged for extra flavorings and not receiving them (happened on more than one occasion), i decided to try again...it was 2:15p.m. during happy hour...again it happened...i opened the lid to check and i did not see the extra flavoring of extra lime and extra strawberries in my strawberry limeade... the drink tasted watered down...when i asked the lady at the window - operator #3 if the flavorings were added, she called back and asked someone and they assured her they were put in...the drink actually tastes like someone left some of their drink and just filled the rest up with ice and water...this happened on shift: c and the tkt# is 0166...the phone number listed on my ticket is [protected] and it is to a fax machine...the store #is 3507 and is located on manchester expressway in columbus, ga...it is sad that a business with a product as tasty as the properly made strawberry limeade would not care to make it the best they can...cathe watson, 1121 30th street, columbus, ga 31904...phone number is [protected]

AAAWW! I'm sorry ya had to go thru that! I'm still waiting for HR to call me back or email me or something! But they're ignoring me. Also my GM and Co-manager are making it impossible to work for them! If someone is hiring out there, i would've taken that job. Unfortunatly, who wants to hire a 6 month preg girl? So i gotta wait till my son's born, but the prob is, i'll lose my house before then. :-(

I agree I worked at sonic in Slidell LA for 3 mos right when i turned 16 years old. Horrible management, hourly wages were way too low for the bs a worker deals with . i was fired for missing a meeting then i slammed the business to the ground they showed favoritism to other workers, made me work off the clock, and made fun of me just cause my music preference was metal. I was rehired because i almost had 6 managers fired.I ended up quitting the next day (basically giving them a huge middle finger)had a new job that paid $3 more an hr. I refuse to ever buy any sonic products, they can rot in hell for all i care. If you decide to work fast food i highly recommend Burger King. MCD not to much but is way better than the sloppy management at sonic. I no longer work fast food but i defend this person's complaint. I' m using sonic as a bad company example in my college business class.

Honestly most people joke about messing with peoples food but never do anything about it. Worst thing we ever did was write mean words with mustard or mayo on their burgers.
But i agree with the person above. You shouldnt have gotten so mad and calmly asked for it to be fixed
They could have had a new worker who messed up cause beleive it or not ive had a girl barly fill up a blast and she had no idea why i was getting mad at her.

First of all, you are absolutely correct in the fact that your shake should not have been double cupped. There are signs posted and they told us in training to NEVER double cup an order. Throw it away and start again.

However, it sounds to me like the manager tried to remedy the problem that he/she was not responsible for and you not only refused the service but were rude. Believe it or not, not everyone who makes crap wages spits in people's food. I have had to take my order back to McDonald's several times because of mistakes. I am always polite and the problem is always fixed. I'm sure the situation would be remedied if you would take a step back and realize that these people barely make minimum wage. They don't get paid enough to deal with people like you.

WHAT?no spittle (OR OTHER FOREIGN SUBSTANCES! ) IN THE "SPECIAL SAUCE"?NO HOOTCH FOR SALE WITH THE "KARMA-BURGER"SHEEEESH- I WOULDN'T GO THERE---PROBABLY GET MUGGED BY A RABID SQUIRREL!

I worked for sonic in spring tx off of louetta near Klein high school. I was never given my last pay check. When I went to get it I was told I had to wait on a manager to give it to me . So I called to find out when the manager would be on duty and was given the run around. Every time I went I was told some thing new. Until the last time I was told oh it was mailed to you . It's Been two weeks, since the check is in the mail. still no paycheck. They just ripped me off...

9-6-2013
8:06 pm
Sonic Prien Lake Rd Lake Charles LA
Sonic Ryan Street Lake Charles LA

Parked my car and got my order together - pushed button - male came on intercom said something I couldn't understand ending with for our carhops safety. Pushed button again - same voice exact same message - suppose it was a recording - only understood for our carhops safety. I began to feel unsafe, and quite irritated. Pressed the button one more time thinking a human being might actually speak to me - not so. I left, drove to Sonic on Ryan St. in Lake Charles, LA parked - pushed button - remarkable but I was able to place my order. Before the carhop arrived I saw three more cars pull in past me park push button and intercom voice said something about driving around for carhops safety. When my order came I asked the girl if they were getting mugged or what. She was baffled. I said the cars have to drive around they can't place their orders at these boxes. Yeah she said, it hasn't happened to me but sometimes men are in these cars and try to get money from the carhops and you know they are just a lot bigger than us. I said then why doesn't Sonic turn the lights off to the boxes that they don't want you to order from That way Sonic is taking responsibility for their customers and their employees. I don't know she said. Took my money, never offering any change which has become the usual at Sonic these days. This is unnerving to me, if it is an unsafe condition for their carhops that are only there for 1 minute how safe am I sitting there waiting for my order and possibly eating there taking 10 or 15 minutes. Really Sonic can't you do better than that. There are any number of ways you could remedy this problem other than frustrating your customer and putting the responsibility on them.

I'm not too sure about the ribbons rule, but the other rules are pretty standard as far a Sonic goes. If you come in with a bad attitude most of the time you will get sent home, since it's bad for buisness. It is a Sonic rule that employees have to wear a belt, though most managers will overlook this rule for girls since they have to wear their apron. And tying your hair back is standard health code, if your hair gets in someone's food they will freak out. The ribbons rule does seem very weird though.

the other rules are dumb but you should have your hair pulled back you are serving people food

Since I have worked for Paris Sonic off and on for many years as a Car-Hop this upsets me. First we don't charge .80 cents for Jalapaino's! If your going to take the time to write a complaint get your facts right. If you lied about the cost of your add-on, I feel like your lieing about other .facts. in your story. Every store is ran differently, but we at Paris Sonic go by the book! I take the time and energy everyday to make sure I do my job and those around me do their jobs correctly! Mistakes happen from time to time so don't let that keep you from coming back to our wonderful Paris Sonic!

The ice being up to the lid is standard procedure at Sonic: We are instructed to do that for all tea drinks. As for what they charge for refills, that does vary from Sonic to Sonic. At the Sonic I work at we aren't allowed to give free refills at all. (Except to patio customers) Like the person said above, you can always request easy ice, it does not cost extra.

It is one thing to charge you for strawberries and vanilla, but I know at my sonic, we are required to give free refills on tea and soft drinks, charging for extra flavor. It also says in our books and on mystery shop reports that we have to fill tea to the top of the cup with ice, so it's best to ask for light ice. It doesn't cost extra (at least, not anywhere that I've been to).

also, please remember car-hops RELY on tips. i know i did! Many ppl dont tip these days, and that sucks! But I'm about to lose my home because of the BS that goes on with the GM, the Co-manager and even as high up as the district manager who hates me! So, please be kind. even 50 cents or a dollar goes a long way...

Funny thing is I worked for sonic a few years ago and one of the most annoying things, aside the know it all customers who think they could do any better, is to be in a hurry and trying to get the food to one guest so you could get the next taken care of but you get stuck at the first guests car bc hes taken forever. Then finally he gives you the money for the order and sits there and watches while you fumble to get his change of 53 cents from the changer all while balancing everything in your one hand and while sometimes even wearing skates. Then after all that you go to hand him the 53 cents and he says “keep it I don’t need it!?” Oh my God really? 53 cents and you made me stand there and dig it out only to act as if you gave me a couple bucks? That is why we ask! Not to be rude but bc we are trying to hurry up and get to the next person before he gets mad and files a complaint! I hear so many people complain about things and they have no idea. For example, did you ever stop to think that EVERYONE pulls up to a sonic and pretty much hits the button at the same time and demands service….. Goto McDonalds drive thru and try that? You can’t! Its one car and one order or maybe 2 if they have a double lane however its still only one transaction at a time! On top of that if you actually take a stopwatch and goto another place like BK or McDs and time yourself when you pull up during a busy time like lunch you’d be really surprised how long you really wait. Your perception is it’s the person in front of you taking forever so you blame them but at sonic you don’t see that person so you blame sonic.. You speak of things you have no idea about. Go put yourself in other peoples shoes before you assume the worst in someone or a place!

Hi,
I personally used to be an assistant manager for a Sonic, and I can understand the frustration that comes with bad service anywhere. Without taking sides, I'd like to point out that a Car-Hop for Sonic does not have the job of an average fast food worker. They must remember over 64, 000 recipes for drinks and ice cream, be able to make change in their head, and continuously run through an 8 hour shift. Many people I believe view them as the average fast food employee, but nothing is simplified for them like many other establishments do. This being said, the Car-Hop, likely, walked away on accident as I have seen many new employees do. The best place to take your complaint is to the Corporate complaint number, (1-866-OK-SONIC) with your receipt in hand as they will ask you for the Check number from the top. If the rest of the country works like my store was, a corporate complaint will earn you royal treatment as it will make it's way all the way through higher management before reaching the store.
Thanks,
Anonymous