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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.

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Why Drive-Thrus Are Still Costing Franchisors Millions

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