Do you love grabbing a cold Coca-Cola and a big bag of fries without stepping out of your car? If so, you’re in good company. Many Americans enjoy the convenience of drive-thrus.
Recent data shows that about 43% of fast-food orders in the US happen at drive-thrus, raking in around $140 billion each year. Fast-food chains are taking notice and making serious efforts to enhance this experience.
Here are some exciting trends:
- McDonald’s has launched a new concept called CosMc’s. It’s all about faster service with multiple drive-thru lanes. Some locations don’t even have indoor seating!
- Shake Shack, which grew from a simple hot dog cart to over 300 locations, is also expanding its drive-thru options. They’re opening spots with special kitchens just for these services.
- One-quarter of Chipotle restaurants now offer drive-thrus, called Chipotlanes. You can quickly pick up your prepaid orders, making it speedy and efficient. These locations often see 10% to 15% more sales compared to those without drive-thrus.
For many people, the drive-thru is more than just a convenience; it’s often where they enjoy their meals right in their car. In fact, about 27% of orders are eaten while driving.
Chick-fil-A’s Approach
Chick-fil-A understands that some meals, like their chicken sandwiches, are perfect for one-handed eating while driving. In 2024, a whopping 60% of their sales came from drive-thrus. But their success wasn’t easy; they’ve gone through several changes:
- In 2012, they switched to face-to-face ordering, with staff using iPads to take orders through car windows.
- In 2020, they used drones to analyze traffic flow at their drive-thrus and pinpoint any issues.
- They are also exploring new urban concepts, including places with little or no seating and designated areas for bike delivery services.
Thanks to these efforts, Chick-fil-A reported $21.6 billion in US sales in 2023, leading all fast-food chains in revenue per restaurant, all while being closed on Sundays.
