The Number 1 Rule in business: NEVER make it hard for people to give you money.
I just ordered a meal and realized I didnt have my wallet. No problem. The carhop screen has a nice black Pay button with the apple logo. I touched it only to realize it gave me a code to enter into the Sonic app. No problem, I think (though I suspect the Apple layers might have a problem with that). Ill just pay with ApplePay. Nope. Only *AFTER* downloading the Sonic app, being forced to create an account, verify my phone number, and click the pay button, do they tell you that your only way to pay through the app is to "Purchase a physical gift card or a gift certificate." Seriously? A gift card??? No credit card? No ApplePay? Whats the point?
In the end, I had to cancel my order and leave the carhop at the curb. I feel bad for the kid. I was an idiot for forgetting my wallet, but whoever designed this app is an even bigger one.