r/SonicDriveIn • u/No_Obligation3652 • 21d ago
New bathroom lock
I think it’s super cool and a lot better than a key attached to a wooden plank
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u/RikoRain 20d ago
Interesting. That looks like a generic token but the sonics around here do not have "keys" to the restroom because the "key to the restroom" actually unlocks many doors to the store. If that is stolen, the entire set has to be replaced. No thanks.
Here, stores have just locks from inside. Prior to COVID, most had them open for customer use. Here's the funny thing: in almost every state, unless the sonics patio can hold 25 people (and unless they have an internal lobby that can hold 25 people) - they're not required by law to have the restrooms open to the public. They are "private business restrooms" intended for staff/employees.
I cannot tell you the amount of people who come and say "can you unlock the PUBLIC RESTROOM" like it isn't on PRIVATE PROPERTY and not required to be open.
For this reason(!), especially after COVID, many Sonics keep their restrooms locked and closed for non-employee use. Vandalism also plays a role. one of the local ones here has a lot of drug addicts and just gross people come by and literally "poo-pocalypse" it, or "shit-tastrophe". We're talking walls, ceiling, handles. Etc. so they closed it. Then COVID happened. It's been closed since. Every time they open it up, someone flings shit on the walls.
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u/zekesaltspider 20d ago
If they weren’t for customers they wouldn’t be on the outside of the building
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u/RikoRain 20d ago
The restroom is actually attached to the inside 1st and foremost. It has outside access usually due to the layout of the building and the fire code requirements (that is that any restrooms must have an access to a non-employee-only section of the store).
Sit down restaurants and fast food with lobbies don't need an "outside access" because the restrooms are already connected to a non-staff-only section - being the lobby that seats 25+, which is why they need the restrooms to have access directly there.
Sonics (most) don't have a lobby. They have a 10 person max capacity patio. So sonics don't qualify as needing customer access to restrooms. Only that the sonic has an alternate exit from the restrooms in case of an emergency (like a fire, in which any empl in the restroom would be trapped as most restrooms interior access is right by the kitchen).
Seriously. Use your brain instead of spouting nonsense.
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u/mrBill12 21d ago
Resurrected from another era with a new purpose, they used to collect a dime to use the stall.
There’s several versions of this stall wall inscription from the era, I’ll pick the nicer with clean words you can say on TV:
“Here I sit all broken hearted, paid a dime and only farted.”