5 Fast-Food Chains Opening Unique Drive-Thru Locations

Drive-thru-only restaurants, a unique and quickly-expanding concept, seem to be the future of fast food.

Pandemic-era customers, in their continuing quest for safety, speed, and convenient options have demonstrated to major brands that you don't need seats to be successful.

According to Bake Magazine, drive-thru sales accounted for 42% of all restaurant traffic in November of 2021, up from 26% in February 2020. And delivery during this period rose from 3% to 9%. While most fast-food patrons became extremely comfortable with curbside pickup and digital and mobile ordering during the pandemic, the effect was enhanced when it came to people using drive-thru windows.

The Motley Fool has reported that drive-thru-only and off-premise models will, going forward, be "preferred" and may become "dominant." The outlet also said that "tomorrow's fast-food restaurant is going to transform into one that is all-digital and has a drive-thru window at its core."

Further, even chains that traditionally have not embraced drive-thrus, such as fast-casual restaurants Applebee's and Shake Shack, have apparently seen the light, with both recently announcing the addition of drive-thru lanes as well as takeout, curbside delivery, and mobile orders.

"We're seeing brands that would never in a million years embrace the drive-thru, embracing the drive-thru," Adam Chandler, author of the book "Drive-Thru Dreams," told The Counter. Chandler noted that the trend is guided by Covid. "The technology, the innovation of it, which made buying food quick and detached, is attractive."

And these fast-food chains are betting big that drive-thru and off-premise locations can drive their business home.

And don't miss 4 Most Overpriced Fast-Food Chains, According to Customers.