I've been working at a Sonic Drive-In near my home for about a month, and let me tell you something: being a carhop is not an easy job. We make less than minimum wage yet complete multiple tasks that take away from our tip earning time. Here is what it's like to be a carhop
1. Carhops do not make minimum wage
In fact, we make several dollars less than minimum wage. We rely on tips as a source of income. Many customers think that they don't need to tip because someone else will or they do not realize we do not make minimum wage. Since this is the mindset of a lot of consumers, we don't make as much as we should.
2. Carhops don't just serve
We make your drinks, slushes, and ice cream as well as take your orders. We clean the lot, kitchen, and the bathrooms because we don't have a janitorial staff. We also complete multiple chores such as bagging, refilling bottles, cups, etc, and deep cleaning. Because of this, we don't get to carhop every hour which takes away from making tips.
3. Pressing the button more than once does nothing
There are a limited amount of speakers in the kitchen, so when there are only 4 people working with 3 people waiting to have their orders taken, drinks to be made, and food to be taken out, it might take a little while for us to answer. When the button is pressed, a loud, very distinctive noise goes off and a number appears by the computer. The noise does not go away until we answer, but it does not get louder the more the button is pressed.
4. The courtesy tray goes out every 8 minutes
Part of a carhop's job is taking out the tray with a variety of condiments, napkins, and straws so that our customers are satisfied. A timer goes off every 8 minutes telling us that it's time for the tray to go out. It is very awkward taking the tray out because we have to make sure that every car sees us.
5. We can't always hear you
When we take orders, we press a button in order to speak. While speaking, we cannot hear what is being said, so waiting until we finish talking is the best way to assure your order is correct.
I actually very much enjoy the job. It keeps me "hopping". I'm hoping that by writing this you will gain a little more understanding into the world of Sonic. It is a difficult, time consuming job, but a great one too. I love the people and the atmosphere at the Sonic.
