More and more restaurants are embracing digital wallets like Apple Pay. For iPhone users, the ability to pay with their device at drive-thrus and in-store is incredibly convenient.
So, does Sonic, one of America’s favorite fast-food chains, accept Apple Pay? Let’s find out.
What is Apple Pay?
First, let’s briefly discuss what Apple Pay is. Apple Pay is a digital wallet and mobile payment system developed by Apple Inc.
It allows users to make secure, contactless payments using their iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, or Mac.
The service digitizes and replaces the credit or debit card chip and PIN or magnetic stripe transaction at point-of-sale terminals.
To use Apple Pay, customers simply need to add their credit or debit card information to the Wallet app on their iPhone.
When it’s time to pay, they can hold their iPhone near the contactless reader with their finger on Touch ID or double-click the side button on their Apple Watch.
Does Sonic Accept Apple Pay?
Unfortunately, as of 2024, Sonic Drive-In does not accept Apple Pay as a payment method at its locations.
This means that customers cannot use their iPhone or Apple Watch to make contactless payments at Sonic restaurants, either in-store or at the drive-thru.
However, Sonic does accept various other payment methods, including:
- Cash
- Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
- Debit cards
- Sonic gift cards
It’s worth noting that while Sonic doesn’t directly support Apple Pay, some customers have reported success using the service indirectly.
This is possible by adding a Sonic gift card to the Wallet app on an iPhone. To do this:
- Purchase a Sonic gift card at a participating location or online
- Open the Wallet app on your iPhone
- Tap the “+” icon in the upper-right corner
- Scan the gift card or manually enter the card information
- The Sonic gift card will now be available in your Apple Wallet for future purchases
Will Sonic Accept Apple Pay in the Future?
As more restaurants adopt contactless payment options, it’s possible that Sonic may consider accepting Apple Pay in the future.
However, the company has not made any official announcements regarding plans to support the digital wallet service.
It’s worth mentioning that some of Sonic’s competitors, such as McDonald’s and Burger King, already accept Apple Pay.
As customer demand for contactless payment options grows, Sonic may feel pressure to follow suit to remain competitive.
Conclusion
In summary, Sonic Drive-In does not currently accept Apple Pay as a direct payment method at its locations.
iPhone users hoping to make contactless payments at Sonic will need to use alternative methods, such as cash, credit cards, debit cards, or Sonic gift cards.
While it’s possible to indirectly use Apple Pay at Sonic by adding a gift card to the Wallet app, this workaround may not be convenient for all customers.
As contactless payments become more widespread, it’s possible that Sonic will consider accepting Apple Pay in the future to meet customer demand and stay competitive in the fast-food industry.
