Its called fast food for a reason.
Spend any time at Sonic Drive-In and youll see a finely tuned system in constant motion as a team of cooks and carhops field a barrage of orders, often simultaneously.
Oh, its fast-paced, agreed Tami Lewis, who was named manager of Iolas Sonic earlier this month. Theres always something to do.
Lewis has worked at Sonic for 10 years.
I knew Id eventually become a manager, but they wanted me to learn all of the positions first, she said, from cook, to carhop to fountains. Dan wouldnt turn me loose until I learned all the systems, she said, referring to Dan Oswalt, former co-owner and manager.
Working in the fast food industry is a far cry from her previous career as a college professor.
Lewis has a masters degree in equine science and once taught at Allen Community Colleges horse program.
When that program folded, however, she taught elsewhere before leaving the classroom to become a stay-at-home mom.
When the time came to get back into the workforce, Lewis said, Id looked around town to see what was available, but nothing struck her fancy.
Then the stars aligned.
Oswalt and his daughter, April Colborn, heard about her job search and inquired about Lewis interest in learning the business.
Id never done fast food before, she said. Dan put me in the kitchen, and said, Lets see what you can do.
The fast pace was and remains invigorating.
I really do like that part, she said.
TECHNOLOGICAL
advances have hit the fast-food business just like all other walks of life, Lewis said.
Customers can place and pay for their orders before the carhop arrives at their window, courtesy of Sonics new automated ordering system.
Sonic also has turned to social media texting in particular to notify regulars about upcoming specials.
Lewis oversees a staff of about 30, ranging from high school and college students to others who work full time. She often reaches back to her teaching days when working with her young employees.
I think Im good at teaching people here how things are supposed to be done, she said. I care about these people. I couldnt do it without them. I love this place, I love the customers. I love it all.
