Sonic Drive-In

shift lead

April - July 2020 • Kearney, MO

What I liked

the general manger was easy to work with and was not rude or hateful or stressed out all the time like some mangers are

What I wish was different

the hours

Advice

it gave me a new outlook on people who work jobs that pay less if they get tips

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Shift Manager

May 2017 - November 2020 • Hopkinsville, KY

What I liked

Working at Sonic was a great experience. It taught me the leadership skills I needed to pursue my passion for teaching and offered flexible hours that worked around my college schedule.

What I wish was different

I would definitely try to prioritize my college work over keeping my 40 hours a week schedule. As a shift manager I understood that they needed me and wanted to be available since we were short staffed during Covid, but I would definitely ask for less hours to have more time for school.

Advice

Make sure you set up a good schedule with your employer. It's enticing to work full time and have the extra money that comes with it, but working and going to school full time can make it really hard to get all of your work done.

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Restaurant Shift Leader

March - August 2020 • Emmett, ID

What I liked

What I wish was different

Advice

Remember to be patient, everyone has hard days.

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Associate Manager

March - August 2020 • Spring, TX

What I liked

Being able to have major responsibilities and assume a role as a delegator

What I wish was different

It was tough working and taking classes. I wish could’ve had more time for each.

Advice

Take leadership roles early in life even when older people want to look down on you because of age. Show people what you are capable of and keep setting the bar high for others.

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Associate manager

May 2016 • Knoxville, TN

What I liked

Friendly environment with an opportunity to gain managing experience and useful communication and leadership skills to transfer to future endeavors.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Crew member

August 2019 • Rexburg, ID

What I liked

Fun place to work at, lots of room to grow and get promoted. Competitive pay.

What I wish was different

Better management.

Advice

If you’re not a hard worker or willing to put in effort and go an extra mile in your work, then I don’t think this job is for you.

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Sonic Crew Leader

September 2016 • McKenzie, TN

What I liked

I like how I gain how to deal with different people. I learn from the angry costumers to the most friendly costumers.

What I wish was different

I wish the pay could be different

Advice

The piece of advice I would like to share is that every situation doesn't need a reaction.

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carhop

May - August 2018 • Phoenix, AZ

What I liked

meeting customers and making drinks

What I wish was different

different location because it was a hot summer.

Advice

Understand how to multi-task. It can get busy real quick.

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Cook

July - August 2018 • Norman, OK

What I liked

Everyone on staff was super nice to me which was awesome! The food was of course tasty as well.

What I wish was different

Less work for cooks and more work for carhops. It seemed as if the cooks did way more work than the carhops which wasn't ideal.

Advice

A good leader can make an average crew look great! I had one at sonic.

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Assistant Manager

June - August 2018 • Rexburg, ID

What I liked

I liked being able to work with other people and help a business function.

What I wish was different

I wish that I would have been paid what I was worth.

Advice

Make sure that your degree is useful before you commit to it. Do not pick a program based off if it sound cool or how fun it is. Base it off of future opportunities in that career.

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Waitress

July 2017 • Converse, TX

What I liked

I appreciated the co-workers. They helped me out a lot when working there.

What I wish was different

I wish that I received proper training

Advice

Try to stay calm during busy hours and when dealing with customers.

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Car Hop

June 2018 • Littleton, CO

What I liked

I like the fast paced environment and the people that I worked with. Overall a fun place to work!

What I wish was different

Advice

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Carhop

May - August 2018 • Idalou, TX

What I liked

I enjoyed the environment I worked in and enjoyed the relationships I built while I was there.

What I wish was different

Nothing, I had a great experience. It was hard work but it was also fun.

Advice

Be prepared to run a lot and make sure you understand how to handle and count money.

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Drive through window operator

July - September 2018 • Southgate, MI

What I liked

I liked that I could get tips from kind customers when I hopped out their food.

What I wish was different

I wish that I had a chance to sit more often instead of having to stand for 5 or more hours straight.

Advice

Find 1 or 2 coworkers you like and hope that you all can talk trash about your managers and confide in each other. That way, you can actually stay somewhat happy and sane during a lunch rush.

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Media Intern

June - August 2018 • Oklahoma City, OK

What I liked

Sonic has a really great intern program; I've actually done it twice in two different departments. The medium-sized QSR company provides a structured program in which interns have opportunities to work on meaningful projects, get face time with upper management, and make lasting connections with other employees and interns through program evnts and activities.

What I wish was different

I personally did not have any complaints for the program, but I did suggest in my exit interview that the summer intern team be provided an opportunity to work on a group project together.

Advice

Definitely make the most of your time at Sonic by establishing personal connections where and when you can. Office culture encourages setting up one-on-one meetings with members of various departments when you are hired, in order to get to know the people you'll be working with most closely. Sit with different people at lunch and get to know them. Be prepared to speak intelligently with upper management, there will be opportunities!

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Crew Member

June - August 2018 • San Marcos, TX

What I liked

This was the first job where I didn't have to interact with customers and have to figure out any confusing orders.; I worked the fountain area. The workers there were interesting and usually cool to be around.

What I wish was different

Advice

Make sure you are on top of stocking the fountain before any rush. Once the rush comes, there is no freedom to run to grab something without getting a few items behind.

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carhop

May 2015 • Trussville, AL

What I liked

My favorite thing about working at sonic is that all the employees are so close to one another.

What I wish was different

I honestly do not wish anything were different.

Advice

Hard work honestly does pay off. I got to see this first hand when I got promoted to an associate manager.

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Carhop

June 2018 • Milford, CT

What I liked

~Experiencing my first job. ~Learning how to do things fast paced. ~Learning how to work well and interact with many types of people

What I wish was different

~The application process (How long it actually took for me to get the job)

Advice

Don't be afraid to apply for a job you would never have originally considered. Try new things and keep and open mind about any sort of work.

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Car Hop

May - August 2018 • Rifle, CO

What I liked

I loved the opportunity to learn and grow as a person in a fast paced work environment. Working with your hands is a completely different experience than working at a desk all day, and I enjoyed the change of pace.

What I wish was different

I wish that my hours would have been more regular/predictable because it was difficult to make plans with family and friends as I also was taking two summer classes.

Advice

Never be above working anywhere. A job is a job and even if you aren't crazy about where you work that is okay. Trust me, working at a fast food company is not the most glamorous job ever but it was one that taught me a lot, helped me develop confidence, and taught me to be content and do my best with whatever situation I am in.

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