Photo: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg/Getty
Hungry Ohio residents looking to get their Sonic fix ran into a bit of a hiccup on Sunday, when employees at three of the fast food drive-in’s locations quit amid complaints of “terrible management” and wage disputes.
Other insiders said workers were unhappy that alleged pay cuts had been forced upon them,The Scioto Postreported, as management reduced their compensation from Ohio’s $8.55 minimum wage to a tipped employee wage of approximately $4.00 per hour. The letter Circleville staffers posted on the Sonic door alluded to both of those changes.
A representative for Sonic disputed this, saying “no wage rates at any level decreased as a result of this transition” but instead employees are now eligible for their paychecks to be direct deposited, and general managers are now eligible for a new bonus program.
“Warning: Due to terrible management, the whole store has quit,” the note at Circleville said, according to a photo of it posted on social media. “The company has been sold to people that don’t give a f—- about anyone but themselves. Sorry for the inconvenience, but our team refuses to work for a company that treats their employees like s— when they have put everything into this store. We have worked too hard for top long. We are all off to better things.”
WATCH: How to Make The Best Burger Topping Ever
Christi Woodworth, Vice President of Public Relations, tells PEOPLE that as of Monday, eight Sonic Drive-Ins in the Columbus, Ohio market were moved under new ownership and management as SRI Operating Company (an affiliate of 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,” Woodworth’sstatement reads. “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.”
“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,” it continued. “We look forward to being a part of the community for decades to come and appreciate the opportunity to serve our guests every day.”
Meanwhile, all three locations were open for business as of Thursday, staffers told PEOPLE over the phone.
source: people.com
