Entire staffs at 3 Sonic locations quit after wages cut to '$4/hour plus tips'

Authored by kutv.com and submitted by Annahsbananas

(UPDATE 3/1/19 5: 46 p.m. MST) -- A representative from Sonic reached out to

We've published Sonic's entire statement at the bottom of this story in italics. We've left their original statement in the story for context.

CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio ( ) - "Due to the whole store has quit" reads a letter posted on the window of a Sonic restaurant in Ohio.

The expletive-laden letter points the finger at new owners who "don't give a [expletive] about anyone but themselves" as the reason for the entire staff quitting, temporarily shutting down the store.

You can read the letter left by Circleville, Ohio employees below (WARNING: the letter contains some swear words):

, the workers were angry over their pay being cut from Ohio's minimum wage of $8.55/hour to $4.00/hour plus tips.

Many pointed out fast food workers rarely get tipped.

Two other stores in Ohio, one in Lancaster and one in Grove City who are also under the same new ownership, also quit en masse,

Those stores also hung signs saying "Goodbye" and " " on their windows.

Christi Woodworth, Vice President of Public Relations at Sonic issued a :

Effective Monday, February 25, eight SONIC Drive-Ins in the Columbus, Ohio market will be under new ownership and management. SRI Operating Company, an affiliate of the Sonic the SONIC franchisor and operator of SONIC Drive-ins across the nation, is in the process of purchasing these drive-ins from a franchisee.

Under new management, guests and the community can look forward to improved service and the famous food, beverages and treats for which SONIC is known. Employees working for the local drive-in can look forward to fun, fast-paced work on which they can build a career, if they choose. Most current employees will have the opportunity to continue to work at the drive-in under the new ownership.

The Circleville SONIC Drive-In will re-open on Monday morning under new management. We recognize that changes like this can be difficult for employees to understand and most current employees will have the opportunity to continue working at the drive-in.

We look forward to being a part of the community for decades to come and appreciate the opportunity to serve our guests every day.

Below is an updated statement emailed to 2News.

Thank you for your inquiry about the about the eight Sonic Drive-Ins in the Columbus, Ohio market that have changed ownership from a franchisee to Sonic’s operating affiliate, SRI Holding Company (SRI) as of Monday, February 25.

We recognize that changes like this can be difficult for employees to understand, and most current employees will have the opportunity to continue working at the drive-in. Under new management, guests and the community can look forward to improved service and the famous food, beverages, and treats for which SONIC is known. Employees working for the local drive-in can look forward to fun, fast-paced work on which they can build a career, if they choose.

No wage rates at any level decreased as a result of this transition and Carhops may continue to receive tips above their hourly wages. Additionally, with the ownership change, employees may now have their paycheck direct deposited and general managers are now eligible for a new bonus program, among other benefits. Most employees are continuing their employment at the drive-in and SRI has increased the total number of employees at the eight drive-ins in the Columbus market by 50% and will continue to invest in employees, technology and infrastructure at these drive-ins in order to deliver outstanding guest service.

SRI began operating the following drive-ins beginning Monday, February 25:

3250 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus, OH

6206 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH

Two drive-ins closed as a result of this transaction:

3911 S. Hamilton Rd, Columbus, OH

Mr-Darkseid on March 1st, 2019 at 23:08 UTC »

I had a friend who used to work for sonic first as a cook and finally after a few years as a manager. He ended up quiting as a manager because the amount he was paid vs the enormous amount of responsibility he had as manager was so off he just couldn't take it. Almost every day someone called sick or just didnt show up to work so he ended up having to do their work too. He was in charge of the whole restaurant and if something went wrong it was his ass on the line. Which is basic manager stuff but the amount he was being paid ended up being only a few dollars more than everyone else. When he explained to me that it is literally not worth it to be a manager since it usually amounted to about 60 dollars a week more in his paycheck but now had to work 4 times as hard and sometimes even more hours he wouldn't get paid for.

Conclusion: Working at sonic sucks already. To find out they cut wages in half because they could further proves what a shit restaurant they are. I truly empathize with those workers that walked away. Their time is far more valuable that 4 dollars an hour.

EmmalouEsq on March 1st, 2019 at 22:43 UTC »

Nobody in Circleville Ohio is going to tip fast food workers. Why is it so damned hard to pay a minimum wage outright? Under the law, aren't restaurants still supposed to pay minimum wage if the server doesn't make at least that much with their tips? I'm guessing this franchisee was not planning to do that.

Wackomanic on March 1st, 2019 at 22:33 UTC »

Do they not understand competition even among employers? It's not like it's hard to get into the fast food industry. Why stay at Sonic for $4/hour when you could work at McDonalds?