Sonic In Apache, Oklahoma Closes Unexpectedly

The fast food restaurant, Sonic, in Apache, Oklahoma closed their doors for good this morning unexpectedly. According to comments from workers at the establishment, they were only told to pick up their last checks, but they were not given any other notice sooner than today, April 21, 2025.

If you've visited the Sonic in Apache recently, you may have noticed a smaller staff than other locations in surrounding towns. Speaking from personal experience, I've witnessed long wait times because of nights with only one or two people handling things at the restaurant until they've closed.

Although the managers, allegedly, may not have given workers notice about their last days at the job, you could say that you could've seen this coming.

Is it legal for employers in Oklahoma to fire employees with no notice?

Despite the fact that workers are typically expected to turn in a two-week's notice to their employer if they're leaving the job, the same courtesy is not always expected for employers in Oklahoma. As much as it's frowned upon to terminate work for employees on such short notice, Oklahoma follows an "at-will" employment policy; meaning employees can be laid off for any lawful reason at any time.

Although there is a federal act, known as the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN), that is meant to combat employees ending things on such short notice, the act is applicable to "plant closings and mass layoffs," according to the Code of Federal Regulations.

Regardless of why it happened the way it did, it's never a good look to let workers go this way. We've reached out via phonecall to the establishment, but have not received word back.