Why Work Here? Free-spirited and energetic employees make SONIC Drive-In a popular place to visit for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Restaurants feature everything from classic hamburgers and French fries to sundaes and milkshakes. Under the name Top Hat Drive-In, founder Troy Smith Sr. opened the first location in 1953 in Shawnee, OK. In 1959, the idea for the popular eatery came to life and franchising soon took off. More than 3,500 locations in almost every state allow the American fast-food chain to generate revenue of about $546 million annually. The company maintains headquarters in Oklahoma City, OK, and trades on NASDAQ as SONC.
Thousands of entry-level employees work for the drive-in or dine-in restaurant chain. The corporate headquarters also employ over 300 workers to aid in business development and production. Smiles on the faces of every staff member reveal fun, friendly work environments filled with job benefits and upward mobility. The chain attracts creative individuals interested in sharing passion for food and customer service. As locations continue to open across the United States, job hunters readily find available positions.
Sonic Drive-In Online Application Process
Creative food enthusiasts search for jobs online using the company website to locate opportunities within the prominent fast-food chain: https://www.sonicdrivein.com/jobs. Follow the detailed directions below to apply for an entry-level position at SONIC Drive-In.
- On the main career page, candidates should scroll toward the bottom and choose between two pictures labeled Explore Drive-In Positions and Explore Corporate Positions.
- Aspiring restaurant workers must find the right drive-in position by reading through opportunities like crew member, carhop, cook, assistant manager, general manager, and multi-unit leader. Online job hunters then click the red Apply button to begin the application process.
- Workers begin the search by entering zip codes and selecting a preferred distance. Next, online employment seekers must indicate a location of interest to generate a pre-populated list of available job opportunities. Applicants choose positions of interest and proceed to registration.
- Candidate registration begins by entering name and contact information. Soon afterwards, aspirants create a username and password. In order to enter the main application form, online profile creators must accept the terms of use and privacy policy.
- A page for demographic information appears and gives job seekers the option to disclose gender and ethnic backgrounds.
- Applicants add prefilled information from external sources imported as attachments, such as resumes or LinkedIn profiles. The option to enter the information manually also remains available.
- Questions appear on the next few pages requesting basic data like age and eligibility to work in the United States. A universal application appears on the next page with tabs on the left side.
- The first category starts with basic personal information such as name, address, and contact information. Some of the fields should already contain data from earlier questions answered. Afterwards, questions delve into the skating ability and food handler’s certification status of the applicant. Candidates then disclose schedule availability for each day of the week.
- The education section appears on the subsequent page and asks about the academic backgrounds of applicants. Next comes the section for previous work history. For each past employer, online profile creators must provide company information, job title, and reason for leaving.
- Applicants may add references on the succeeding page. Prospective managers must list at least two references for hiring consideration.
- As the application comes to a close, candidates must complete an assessment section. The first part of the assessment gives applicants exactly 20 minutes to finish, while the second part takes approximately 25 minutes to complete, untimed. After the assessment, the application form gets submitted to the appropriate location.
Available Positions
Entry-level contenders select from job titles like crew member, skating carhop, or cook. Job seekers with the proper experience may apply for managerial roles like assistant manager, general manager, or multi-unit leader. SONIC corporate offices also maintain a wide selection of employment opportunities in the areas of finance, purchasing, marketing, and IT.
Restaurant locations hire individuals with excellent customer service skills and the ability to work in fast-paced environments. Skating carhops should also hold experience roller skating. The average entry-level worker earns pay rates between $8.00 and $9.00 an hour. Certain positions, such as carhop, may garner additional income from gratuities. Assistant managers typically earn around $15.00 an hour, while store managers enjoy increased salary options of up to $60,000 a year.
Job Benefits
Built on a culture encouraging professional growth and advancement, SONIC Dive-In provides job benefits designed to make every staff member happy. Depending on eligibility and location, work benefits packages start off with competitive wages, free uniforms, flexible hours, and discounted meals. Medical insurance along with vision and dental plans also support the well-being of workers. Additional rewards range from paid time off and 401(k) retirement plans to holiday time and life insurance. Corporate careers come with even more employment benefits, including prescription drug plans, short-term disability, employee assistance programs, a car allowance, and tuition assistance.
Helpful Tips for Applying
The career network online maintains a wide selection of videos from current employees. Applicants should research the company and specific job titles to identify positions of interest. By gathering information on past employment, schooling, and reference contact details ahead of time, the application process moves much quicker. Resumes should highlight experience in the fast-food industry, customer service, or retail. Candidates demonstrate communication skills by staying professional and courteous throughout the hiring process.
How to Follow Up After Applying Online
Soon after receiving completed application forms, SONIC managers contact interested candidates by phone or email to schedule in-person interviews. The typical wait period lasts about a week or two. Unqualified job seekers, on the other hand, may not receive any type of notification. If a long amount of time passes, applicants should call or stop by the appropriate restaurant in person to inquire about the statuses of applications. For best results, potential employees should apply for multiple positions at a few different locations to increase the likelihood of gaining a job.