Bring Tim or Amanda a copy or email to sonic6212@inspirepartners.net

All employees need black non-slip shoes. These are part of your uniform AND protect you

Questions and concerns- see Tim or Amanda

For those in school: reminder that we're about 3 weeks from school. If your availability or status is changing, we need to know. We have no way to know your personal schedule unless you tell us

Lastly, if you plan to attend the employee appreciation picnic, don't forget to sign up on the sign up sheet by August 1. If you can't make it, we still appreciate you!

Thank you!

For this weekend or next week schedule

304-598-0024

Bring Tim or Amanda a copy or email to sonic6212@inspirepartners.net

We're working on a way for you guys to do it at the store if needed

Bring Tim or Amanda a copy or email to sonic6212@inspirepartners.net

We're working on a way for you guys to do it at the store if needed

With that, we are testing a more frequent and structured review process where you will get a 30-day, 90-day, and 6-month review followed by every 6 months after this.  With this, you will potentially have the opportunity to EARN a small raise each time.  You will also have the opportunity to discuss your thoughts and ideas on what we (as a team) and you do well or areas for improvement.

Raises are earned by:

·         Positive attitude (and good customer service for carhops)

·         Teamwork and communication

·         Continuous improvement, doing better every day

·         Doing the right thing the right way OR for the newer team members: always attempting to by asking questions and reading build cards

·         Sense of urgency, meeting time goals

·         Reliability

You were all offered a position by myself, Tim, or Jenn because we believed you had the potential to be a good asset to our team.  It is up to you to be that good team player.  Be the person you wish all your coworkers were, work hard, but have fun.

Ways to get 0% raise on your review include (but are not limited to): letting your food handlers card expire and not renewing (I will remind you 😊), attendance violations, coming to work with a bad attitude or complaining, doing things wrong intentionally, not being a team player, not prioritizing customers, excessive phone use

As winter is coming, remember that you can stay busy with work when we don’t have customers.  Is your station stocked and cleaned?  Is there something you can find to clean?

So far, the #1 gripe I’ve heard about our team is communication.  If you need something, say something.  If something is bothering you, come see me.  If you have a question, ask.  You don’t have to wait for me to come to you.

Managers are here to make sure customers are getting served fresh food fast with good customer service.  They will correct you if you’re doing something wrong, missing something, etc.  This is to help you be a better team member.  They are also here to help you.  We are also all human and make mistakes.  If you are concerned about what a manager is telling you, come talk to me.

Thank you for giving 100% effort every shift and always trying to be better!  Teamwork makes the dream work

For those I didn't mention it to... if you're interested in a Sonic pullover that you can use for/over your uniform for winter, cost is $15. Let me know size if you're interested. They are still the same as the blue ones I wear. Otherwise, whatever winterwear you choose will have to be solid black or worn under your uniform.

For those that haven't heard, I'll be gone for a week. If you need anything, see Tim. Work as a team! Positive vibes only. See you all next weekend

Prizes will be given for costume and most corn dogs sold

EVERYONE needs black dress pants, black jeans, or blue jeans to wear every day. Leggings are NOT acceptable work pants. Everyone also needs all black non-slip shoes. We've been lenient and allowed everyone to start with the wrong uniform for one check. I don't want anyone to get hurt and not be protected. If you're concerned about the cost, Christian Help helps with work clothes or Walmart sells low-cost stuff. Many have received many checks and are still showing up not in full uniform. You're all tired of hearing me say the same thing... Let's all get in the correct uniform to meet Sonic standards and look like a team!

Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for all of you that come to work and give 100% :-)

Merry Christmas!

Reminder that all food and drinks must be rung in before you get it. We will make it when it is on the screen and you will sign receipt if it's a free meal. Fountain drinks are free ONLY if they are in your own cup or a paid cup. I would rather everyone do their job and reduce waste and spend the money in checks than throwing away paper products (and cold food)!

"I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination."

Reminder that ALL food and drinks MUST be rung in. A manager will discount it and you will sign the receipt. It will be made when it's on the screen. You get 1 100% discount up to $11 and then you may have a 50% discount when you work. Let's not abuse the free meal privilege. I don't want a few people to ruin it for everyone.

Thank you :-)

I am hoping to hear good reports of how reliable you all were and how well you worked as a team when I get back!

Our uniform policy is both to make us look like a team as well as safety. One of the application questions is, "Are you willing to wear a uniform and follow grooming
standards?" I promise I didn't call anyone who answered "no". Please make an effort to get the correct uniform ASAP. I don't want to constantly question people about uniform.

Thank you!

---------------------------------

"We would be happy to assist you employees as we are able. The Career Closet will purchase items if we do not have the needed attire in stock. The customers need to bring verification of employment, typically a recent paycheck or job offer. If there is a concern, we will call the employer for clarification. The Closet hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 4pm. Arrival by 3:00pm is suggested so that they have time to complete the paperwork and shop. 

All of our services are provided in-person, on-site, free of charge, without need for appointments. An outline of services is attached for your reference. We do not hold, pre-order, or ship items. The store is located at 219 Walnut Street. Our public service hours are 9am to 4pm, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, as well as 9am to 2pm on Fridays.

Most of our shoppers' are employed in service (i.e., retail, restaurants), construction (i.e., craft, fracking), fieldwork (e.g., surveyors, transfer station), and healthcare. We try to maintain a stock of appropriate attire. Black dress pants aren't typically a concern. There are frequent requests for jeans and have had concerns after the fact regarding size, shrinkage, etc., so we also refer people to Walmart if these aren't in stock. Shoes we purchase without challenge because of the safety issues related to work. These can take a week for delivery if they are not in stock. We don't order for style preference, just functionality.  

There is an outline of items CC shoppers may obtain that varies according to donations. We check items to assure they are clean and functional. They can visit the CC once a month to grow their wardrobes and put their funds toward essentials like rent, utilities, food, etc. And, they can visit the free store once every 7 days if they are interested in additional items."

Carhops: reminder that you MUST carry your money on you. No one else should be in your drawer or wallet. If you can't carry it, you can work drive-thru or cook. This is part of our cash policy to reduce theft. We need to collect the money to turn into paychecks!

Sunday is deadline to send in direct deposit info for Friday if you haven't yet! sonic6212@inspirepartners.net

Shorts: they're only permitted Memorial Day-Labor Day, must be longer than your fingertips, not hole-y, and you can't be in kitchen wearing them

Reminder to show up and give 100% with a good attitude while you're at work. That's all I ask. We'll get through the week as a team

Also, we got paid today! If you haven't gotten black non-slip shoes, now is the time. If you don't want to or can't pay for them, Christian Help will get you free ones

Bring me your ideas for team names by August 3. Next week we'll vote on one and creator of name will get a prize

For those that started after shirt sign-ups, you can still go but will not be able to get a team shirt. Wear gold to fit in with the rest of our team! See me for the details

Flyer is posted in store with schedule and address. If you need a ride, let me know and I will help coordinate carpooling!

August 12 2pm!

If you would like to participate in 50/50 raffle (optional), bring cash. Prizes, games, awards are completely separate and free

Team Taters

"Too Tot to Handle"

You CAN wear work-appropriate WVU attire for home football game days.

Sonic pullover (the blue ones I wear), let me or another manager know! They are $17 each cash. For size reference, mine is a small.

For winter, you can wear these, something under your uniform, or something completely solid black if you are cold.

If anyone is interested in competing in company-wide contest to guess TOTAL corn dogs sold on Halloween only for ALL Sonic locations. Send your guess to:

livefreelive@inspirebrands.com

Include your name, email address, store number (6212), and your guess! Closest guess to correct number without going over wins a prize

Another reminder for cold days, you can:

1, wear warmer clothes underneath your shirt

2, wear a jacket that is 100% solid black (no graphics, words, bedazzling, etc.)

3, purchase a Sonic pullover for $17

Also, Christmas is coming! We are closed Christmas day and will have a half day Christmas Eve. If you need additional days off, let me know at least 2 weeks in advance

-Cooks need to be wearing gloves when touching people's food.  This is WV policy since 1999.  They did this to provide an additional protection to the public against foodborne illnesses that can spread if you missed some while washing your hands.  We teach this on day 1.  A manager should not have to tell you this every day.  That would be like your mom calling you to remind you to put your underwear on every day.

-Carhops need a headset to answer the customer on the first beep.  Your customers will be nicer and tip you more if you are quick and friendly!

-If you need days off for Christmas and have not told me yet, you have one more week to request off.  I would love to give you guys the schedule earlier but I need dates in a timely manner please.  I do not know your personal schedules unless you tell me.  We are closed Christmas day and are open reduced hours on Christmas Eve.

-Switchboard bingo starting 12/5 for carhops.  First person to get blackout board wins a prize!  You can do this by answering the first beep and asking if they would like to try add-ons you need on your board.  More orders taken= more opportunity to win

-Continuing challenge: managers have a challenge for most on-time orders.  They get to choose which of their shifts they want to reward with a pizza party if they win.  Help them win and they'll pick your shift!

For those I don't see before Christmas break, I hope you have a great holiday with friends and family!  Thank you for your work this year.

Amanda

1, I hope you all get lots of rest and enjoy a break spending time with family or friends.  Merry Christmas!

2, I do not want to work any of your shifts.  If you do not want one of yours, give it to someone else who does want it!  Make sure you let a manager know so they know who to expect.  There is no overtime however with only being open 5 days, I had to deduct 1 day from all the cooks so we should be safe.

3, New year is right around the corner- let's get ready for more customers!

The call-off policy is that you call the store at 304-598-0024 and speak to the manager on duty at least 2 hours prior to the start of your shift.  A better solution is to ask someone to cover your shift or switch with you.  Repeat call-offs will result in a reduction of scheduled hours.  Excessive repeat call-offs will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.  If you are scheduled too many days/hours, let Amanda know to voluntarily reduce your hours on future schedules.  Any email or text received is not considered a call-off, rather a no-call, no-show.  Two no-call, no-shows will result in termination as outlined in the handbook's disciplinary policy.  These policies are in place to protect the business, the team, and the customers.  The team doesn't want to be scheduled with those that are not reliable, and the customers do not want to have to wait.  Thank you.

NEW!  Requests may be made in the store by filling out the request form at any time and putting it in the box.  Requests are due 2 weeks in advance.  If you forgot, ask someone to switch with you or cover your shift and discuss with a manager.  Any request sent via email or text is automatically assumed to be denied.

Availability changes can be made with Amanda.  Some things to consider before you come see me... I do not call applications that say they won't work weekends.  I am able to provide flexible scheduling and accept basically all requests because I require everyone to be available at least Saturday or Sunday.  We are open 7 days/week.  This allows you to request the whole weekend you have plans and someone else to request off the whole weekend they have plans.  Your availability has to cover hours that people want Sonic if you want to be scheduled.... 12-10pm are our busiest hours peaking 12-1 and 5-8 now but likely later in the near future.  Spring is coming.  I do not have a minimum number of days you must work so only tell me a number that you are going to show up for.  The maximum is 40 hours/week unless otherwise approved which usually requires sales to be up.

All of the above is put in place to help the business serve our guests which in turn is printed as paychecks for all of us.  Thank you for being a team player and showing up to work with good attitude ready to work!

Monday starts the all-American smasher!!!  Carhops- who can sell the most all-American smashers?  Prize for winner.  You can use the $6 meal deal to upsell the new LTO sandwich!

I am not mad at anyone for quitting, however I am disappointed in the way they did it and treated all of you.  When someone decides to abandon their job, it doesn't change my job.  My job is always to keep Sonic running and grow the business.  Most of you have been around long enough to know that when I don't have enough people to schedule, I will work 100% right alongside you.  When someone says that they want to work here and that they want to be scheduled and then decide they won't work anymore after being scheduled, it negatively impacts the rest of the team.  I can only be in so many places at one time, but will do my best to take the burden off anyone else.  Unfortunately, that usually leaves some extra for others before I can rebalance the schedule and then replace them.

If you feel that someone is not a team player or has a bad attitude, let me know.  I will not tell them you told me.  I will watch and look for it myself and figure out how I can help them do better.  I would rather help us all become better than everyone get mad at each other.

When you decide to leave Sonic, I ask that you provide notice, and at the very least, work your scheduled shifts with 100% effort and good attitude.  I am fully aware that you don't legally have to, however I am asking out of respect for the rest of the team.  In return, here's what I can provide: 1, you will most likely be eligible for rehire if at some point in your life you would like to come back; 2, if you need a reference for college or future job, I will do it

If you tell me you want to put in your 2 weeks' notice, the first thing I will ask is why.  I am asking because I have to report this on your termination paper and also because if it's something I can help with, I will.  For example, if you think work is too overwhelming with school, I may suggest working less days or taking a semester off work.  Or, if you are moving, I may offer a reference.  If you are dissatisfied with Sonic, you can be honest.  I will probably ask questions so that if there is an area where we can improve, we can do that to make the next person's experience better.

While you are here, I ask that you show up to your shifts on time when you are scheduled ready to work with a good attitude.  I am not perfect and neither are any of you.  This is okay.  If we were perfect, we wouldn't be able to become better.  We don't know what we don't know.  I will keep helping you all get better with more training as much as I can as well as correcting mistakes because this is part of my job.  If there is something specific I can do for you, let me know.

Thank you

Amanda

THIS COMING WEEK, WE WILL DO THE SMASH-OFF THIS COMING WEEK.  IT'S ANYONE'S GAME- HOW FAST CAN YOU MAKE A SMASHER?!?!?

I WILL PRINT AN UPDATE ON OUR PRETZEL SALES STANDINGS MID-MONTH.  SOME ARE DOING GREAT, SOME COULD DO BETTER!  "WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY A SOFT PRETZEL TWIST TODAY?"

Also students, we're about one month out... for those that haven't given me your schedule yet, I will need it sooner than you think!

Picnic shirt deadline is this weekend!

When you leave the store (go to the bathroom, go home, take a break, etc.), let someone know preferably a manager.  The managers on duty are responsible for what happens on their shift.  If there is a fire, Is Tim still clocked in stuck inside?  Is he stuck in the bathroom?  Did he go home?  If Tim didn't tell anyone, we don't know!  If you are clocking out, check out with a manager.  If you are afraid they will ask you to do something, ask 30 min to an hour before your shift, "is there anything specific you want me to do before I leave today?"  They will probably ask you to do your cleaning job if you haven't already and stock and clean up your area.  Leave your space the way you would want to find it.  It takes communication and teamwork from all of us to be a great team.  Thank you