1851

Drive-thru windows are proving to be <a href="https://1851franchise.com/are-drive-thrus-killing-the-environment-minneapolis-isn-t-taking-any-chances-2710694#franbuzz">a complex issue</a> amongst <a href="https://1851franchise.com/consumers-dont-care-that-chick-fil-a-has-the-slowest-drive-thru-among-qsrs-2711255#stories">restaurant brands this year</a>. While many franchisors across the QSR and fast casual space have been investing in new techniques to make the process faster and easier for customers, it looks like <a href="https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/fast-food-chains-are-losing-178m-at-the-drive-thru-annually/566416/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-drive-thrus-are-still-costing-franchisors-millions-2711495" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">drive-thru windows are still coming at a cost for these brands’ bottom lines</a>.According to <a href="http://www.seelevelhx.com/2019-qsr-drive-thru-study-insights/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-drive-thrus-are-still-costing-franchisors-millions-2711495" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">SeeLevel HX's 2019 QSR Drive-Thru study</a>, fast-food drive-thrus are losing about $178 million per 2,000 locations each year. That translates to an average loss per store of $89,000. According to the study, complex menu boards are impacting kitchen layouts and costing drive-thrus as a whole, leading to increased service times and inaccurate orders.This year, some of the QSR segment’s biggest players have been making strides in drive-thru innovations specifically aimed at speeding up service, providing better accuracy and creating more personalized experiences. Most notably, <a href="https://1851franchise.1851franchise.com/mcdonald-s-deploys-ai-powered-menu-boards-at-700-locations-2709830?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-drive-thrus-are-still-costing-franchisors-millions-2711495" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">McDonald's bought Dynamic Yield</a>, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/self-service-kiosk-market-to-reach-over-30-billion-2710538#stories">the digital menu board company</a>, for <a href="https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/mcdonalds-buys-dynamic-yield-for-300m-to-improve-drive-thru-experience/551316/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-drive-thrus-are-still-costing-franchisors-millions-2711495" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">$300 million in March</a>, and acquired voice-based conversational technology company <a href="https://1851franchise.com/mcdonalds-dividends-seriously-deliver-on-delivery-2711405">Apprente in September</a>. According to the study, improved menu boards like this can improve drive-thru performance and save QSRs $28,000 per store and $56.3 million per 2,000 locations.<a href="https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/mcdonalds-improves-drive-thru-times-by-20-seconds/565577/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-drive-thrus-are-still-costing-franchisors-millions-2711495" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">McDonald's has improved its drive-thru time by 20 seconds</a> during Q3 following initiatives that reduced menu complexity and gave staff more tools to cook faster. Other franchisors such as <a href="https://1851franchise.com/10-real-estate-franchises-to-watch-2711478#stories">Dunkin’</a>, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/chipotlanes-why-chipotle-is-shifting-its-real-estate-strategy-to-prioritize-mobile-pick-up-lanes-2711409">Chipotle</a> and <a href="https://1851franchise.com/jack-in-the-box-invests-in-improving-drive-thru-experience-2707469">Jack in the Box</a> have been testing new ways to speed up and simplify the drive-thru process as well.&nbsp;There are a number of other issues—crowded menus, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/who-needs-a-server-the-dine-in-mobile-ordering-trend-is-picking-up-steam-2711340">mobile ordering</a> and <a href="https://1851franchise.com/when-it-comes-to-third-party-delivery-apps-and-restaurants-it-s-relationship-status-it-s-complicated--2709390">third-party delivery</a>—that are slowing down back-of-the-house operations. In order to best streamline the drive-thru process, brands may need to think of <a href="https://1851franchise.com/why-chick-fil-as-unique-drive-thru-approach-may-become-a-new-trend-in-qsr-2711335#stories">redesigns</a>, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/taco-bell-is-the-latest-in-trend-of-qsr-brands-trimming-down-bloated-menus-2710891">menu simplification</a> or <a href="https://1851franchise.com/just-salad-is-the-latest-fast-casual-to-launch-a-virtual-only-restaurant--2711261">virtual kitchens</a> as possible avenues for further innovation.&nbsp;<a href="https://smallbusiness.chron.com/percentage-sales-drive-through-windows-fast-food-restaurants-75713.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-drive-thrus-are-still-costing-franchisors-millions-2711495" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Considering 50% to 70% of all business in fast food</a> consists of drive-thru sales, franchisors are going to need to come up with a solution one way or another.

Why Drive-Thrus Are Still Costing Franchisors Millions

1851 Franchise

According to a recent study, fast-food drive-thrus are losing about $178 million per 2,000 locations each year.

why-drive-thrus-are-still-costing-franchisors-millions

The Junkluggers

image of Lucy Mejia from Atlanta Georgia junkluggers franchisee owner mom

How This Stay-at-Home Mom Found Her Calling With The Junkluggers Franchise

lucy-mejia-junkluggers-franchise

image of the junkluggers franchise and a list of the top 5 reasons to purchase a junkluggers

Top 5 Reasons To Buy a Junkluggers Franchise in 2026

top-5-reasons-to-buy-a-junkluggers-franchise-2026

image of a junkluggers franchise owner franchisee standing in front of a company truck succesful

Junkluggers Franchisees Win the Fast-Growing, Eco-Focused Junk Removal Market With Mission, Momentum and a “Frictionless” System Built for Scale

the-junkluggers-franchise-opportunity

BIGGBY COFFEE

 BIGGBY® COFFEE Cracks Top 200 on Franchise Times Top 400, Climbing More Than 100 Spots in Four Years

biggby-coffee-cracks-top-200-on-franchise-times-top-400-climbing-more-than-100-spots-in-four-years

KidStrong Franchising, LLC

KidStrong Franchise - Sabrina Du - Steve Do - Tampa - 1851 Franchise

Why a KidStrong Franchise Fits This Family’s Next Chapter

kidstrong-franchise-tampa-steve-do-sabrina-du

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Design with government building & "Open for Business" sign against American flag backdrop

Government Reopens After 43-Day Shutdown, Bringing Relief to Small Businesses and Franchises

government-shutdown-ends-franchise-impact

As Starbucks and Dunkin’ Navigate a Changing Market, New Coffee Players Keep Gaining Ground

starbucks-dunkin-franchise-coffee-market-trends

Paris Baguette Welcomes Zac Sulma as New Chief Operating Officer

new-coo-zac-sulma

AI-related job cuts, October U.S. job cuts, American job cut record

AI-Fueled Layoffs Reshape the U.S. Job Market — And Highlight Franchising’s Resilience

ai-job-cuts-franchising-path-forward

Crunch Fitness Franchise - Sixth Street Minority Stake - CR Fitness - 1851 Franchise

Sixth Street Takes Minority Stake in CR Fitness, the Largest Crunch Fitness Franchisee

cr-fitness-crunch-fitness-sixth-street-investment

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

Why Drive-Thrus Are Still Costing Franchisors Millions

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS