Drive-in dreams: Local Sonic crew reaches top 48 in national competition

A McKinney Sonic Drive-In may soon be taking its talents to South Texas.

The McKinney Hot Tots, the crew that mans the Sonic at Custer Road and Virginia Parkway, is one of 48 teams -- out of more than 2,500 nationwide -- remaining in the 19th annual Dr Pepper Sonic Games.

The local crew is one round away from competing for ultimate drive-in bragging rights at September's Finals competition in San Antonio.

"We've come so far and worked so hard," said April Anderson, who took on the fountain portion at the recent Traveling Knowledge Bowl, the test that separates the final 12 from the top 48. "I can't wait to go to San Antonio."

Anderson's assurance is shared by her five team members and store General Manager William Hernandez, the team's enthusiastic leader.

"I feel that it's a privilege to work for our store," Hernandez said. "There's a reason why everyone is at this store."

Such confidence was tested over the past several months. All participating Sonic Drive-Ins began competition in January, when secret shoppers started visiting them to score their food and service.

Twice a month, the shoppers would mark the drive-ins down for how quickly their food came out, how friendly their servers were, even the juiciness of their burger or extra-long cheese coney.

Additional quizzes were sent to participating crews, who had 30 days to take each one. Selected team members answered by phone questions about the grill, fountain (drinks), swamp (chili-cheese area), dresser (toppings), switchboard (taking orders) and car-hopping.

"They'll ask you things like, 'Where does the bacon go on the grill?' and 'How many cherries are on a sundae?'" said Hernandez, whose previous crew made it to the top 48 a few years ago. "They'll try to trick you, and you only have a few seconds to answer."

But with weekly, often nightly, study sessions -- at Starbucks, the store, managers' houses -- the Hot Tots passed every test with "frying" colors. And at this month's Knowledge Bowl at the Dr Pepper office in Frisco, they continued to prove their Sonic keep.

The six crewmembers answered more questions about their specific positions in a game show format. Anderson, who said she nearly passed out before the Knowledge Bowl judges, was thrilled to compete.

"It was too good of an opportunity to miss," she said. "If we're chosen in the top 48, we're going to be chosen for the top 12."

Hernandez credits his crew's success to an uplifting drive-in environment, and constant training. He often asks crewmembers operational questions when they come into work.

They seem to cherish each other as much as they cherish customers, Hernandez said.

"Everybody has weak points, but we focus on the strengths," he said. "It's like a family."

Only six of the 40-plus-person family make up the team that will compete in San Antonio, should they make it. They'll know by the end of this month whether they've earned the all-expense-paid trip to the annual convention.

Limousines would pick them up at the airport, and take them to their final test: a weekend of Sonic service at a rented-out drive-in, where every customer is a judge. Each team takes its turn handling constant orders with the drive and knowledge that got them there.

"They're looking for the best of the best," Hernandez said.

Individual and team performances both warrant gold, silver and bronze medals, and the National Champion team will be announced in front of more than 3,000 Sonic franchisees, managers and employees from around the country.

Though winning drive-in managers receive $3,000 if in the final 12, Hernandez stressed his crew's success is more a reflection on its year-round pursuit of excellent customer service. They try to make sure everyone at their store is happier when they leave, he said.

In Sonic competition lingo, such service is talent.

And the Hot Tots plan to take theirs to South Texas.

"We're going for sure," Hernandez said. "I'm already packed."

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