(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
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.
modsiw_agnarr on March 1st, 2019 at 21:57 UTC »
"We recognize that changes like this can be difficult for employees to understand"
You cut their pay to less than half of what it was and below minimum wage, so they left. Seems like they understand just fine.
Edit:
Many folks are replying that pay wasn’t actually cut, and that their managers were lying to them about it.
Well, those managers represent the company. The company said it was cutting wages. The employees aren’t having difficulty understanding. They were lied to. Say that. If corporates claims are truthful, they should have said “We recognize that our managers dishonesty has caused a great deal of confusion.”
If you went to work and every manager was saying that the company is being sold and pay is being halved, would you characterizing you believing their false statements as being due a difficulty in your understanding?
Beyond that, we can’t verify that the managers were actually being dishonest. Corp could bring using them as a scape goat after this went viral.
bigdikrik on March 1st, 2019 at 21:54 UTC »
The real question is who assumes that fast food workers will actually make money from tips??