Drive-thrus have been popular for several decades, fueled by America’s car-centric culture and increasingly busy lifestyles. But the coronavirus pandemic pushed that popularity to new heights, as health fears forced restaurant dining rooms to close for extended periods.
A recent article in BisNow noted all of the impacts the recent pandemic shutdowns are playing on new retail development, and how drive-thrus not only saved the restaurant industry in the last year, but are now being deemed vital to future operations.
The second quarter of 2020 was arguably the toughest for retail and restaurant businesses, thanks to widespread lockdowns and mandatory closures. Total eating and drinking place sales were $176.7B in Q1 2020, but plummeted to $119.5B in Q2, according to the National Restaurant Association. At the same time, drive-thru business soared: In the U.S., traffic rose by 26% during Q2 2020 and represented 42% of all restaurant visits in the U.S., according to The NPD Group.
In July, when more restaurants reopened at limited capacity and overall retail sales rose — back up to $162.3B for Q3 — figures showed that drive-thru visits still increased by 13%, the highest visit increase among the service modes of on-premises, carry-out and delivery.
Chipotle began to roll out drive-thru lanes in 2018 as part of a broader push into digital ordering. The firm has now made drive-thru lanes a priority: about 70% of all new stores will have drive-thru service in 2021. Other restaurants like Shake Shack, Panera Bread, 7-Eleven and Pizza Hut have also announced plans over the past year to adopt drive-thru for the first time or to expand their offerings.
Some quick-service restaurants are taking the drive-thru concept one step further: getting rid of dine-in options completely. Major chains like Wendy’s and Starbucks are working on concepts that focus exclusively on drive-thru, takeaway and delivery, with limited or no dine-in options.
For retail developers, incorporating drive-thrus in the design of outparcel buildings for new retail centers is now an essential selling point.
