National Drive-Thru Day is observed annually on July 24th. The drive-thru is the iconic measure of convenience. People have enjoyed this service since the 1930s.
Did you know:
- There are more than 211,000 fast food restaurants in the United States.
- The drive-thru format was pioneered in the United States for banking services.
- Hamburgers sold for just 18 cents at some of the first drive-thru restaurants.
- Restaurants, coffee shops, liquor stores, pharmacies and many more services utilize drive-thrus for quick service.
HISTORY
America’s first drive-thru burger chain, Jack in the Box, created National Drive-Thru Day to celebrate America’s love of convenience by vehicle.
DRIVE-THRU FACTS
- The drive-thru is getting slower, an annual study from QSR Magazine, noted the average wait time, in 2013, was 181 seconds, up from 173 seconds.
- Midafternoon is when drive-thrus are fastest and friendliest.
- The first drive-thru opened in 1947. reportedly at Red’s Giant Hamburg on Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri. Red’s closed in 1984.
- The longest-running burger drive-thru goes to the original In-N Out Burger. It opened in 1948 in the Los Angeles area.
- Jack in the Box, was the first drive-thru focused chain. Opening in 1951.
- McDonald’s didn’t have a drive-thru until 1975.
- Drive-thru design heavily influences what we order. Those appetizing photos of combo meals are prominently featured on drive-thru menu boards for a reason.
- Panera studied drive-thrus for 10 years before opening one.
- Chipotle is a drive-thru holdout, and may never give in.
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