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As drive-thrus get bigger, some cities aren't lovin' it

Apr 18, 2024
The rise of online ordering drives restaurant chains to build more drive-thrus, but traffic and walkability concerns have led to bans.
Cars swarm the drive-thrus at a CosMc's in Bolingbrook, Illinois. The brand, owned by McDonald's, only serves customers in drive-thru lanes.
Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images

You do want fries with that: Wendy's and Google bet on drive-thru AI

Oct 12, 2021
The deal could include voice-recognition software, mapping apps and other digital tools to improve the drive-thru experience.
Artificial intelligence may be coming to a Wendy's drive-thru near you, thanks to a new pairing with Google Cloud.
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images

Drive-thru coffee is extra hot

Sep 17, 2021
Drive-thru coffee shops are attractive to companies because they require fewer employees — especially beneficial during a worker shortage.
Drive-thru coffee shops have seen a boon thanks to work-from-home suburbanites.
Tim Boyle via Getty Images

As office workers mostly work from home, coffee and breakfast chains scramble to boost sales

Nov 5, 2020
The change in your morning routine is impacting the grab-and-go breakfast business.
Fast-food chains were investing more heavily in breakfast foods before the pandemic started.
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Drive-thrus are keeping the restaurant business rolling

Nov 2, 2020
In a pandemic, the less contact with customers the better, and the chains that can pull that off are doing all right.
Drive-thru restaurants are faring better than full-service eateries.
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Most fast-food franchises have bounced back in short order

Aug 5, 2020
Pizza chains and others that allow for social distancing have done especially well. Those that depend on breakfast haven't.
An employee directs drive-thru traffic at a crowded McDonald's in Scotland.
Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images