When you hit up a fast food drive-thru, one thing’s for sure: you expect your order to arrive quickly and accurately. But not all fast food joints are created equal in this regard, and a recent survey reveals which chains are acing the drive-thru game.
Newsweek reports that Intouch Insight’s annual drive-thru study delves into various aspects of fast food chains, including food quality, speed, order accuracy, and overall satisfaction. This year’s survey analyzed nearly 1,500 drive-thru visits at 10 major chains across the nation: Wendy’s, Taco Bell, McDonald’s, KFC, Hardee’s, Dunkin’, Chick-fil-A, Carl’s Jr., Burger King, and Arby’s.
The study found that drive-thru service has gotten speedier over the past year, with order times trimmed by 29 seconds on average. The number of cars queued in the drive-thru line has also decreased, dropping from 2.76 to 1.27. Furthermore, customers are getting what they ordered, as both order accuracy and overall satisfaction have seen improvements.
Unsurprisingly, Chick-fil-A once again topped the charts in several categories, maintaining its reputation for excellence. However, it didn’t secure a top-five spot in speed, largely due to its high customer volume. Chick-fil-A’s efficiency was still commendable, with McDonald’s securing the second spot for speed.
When it comes to raw speed, Taco Bell claimed the crown as the fastest drive-thru, with Carl’s Jr. and KFC closely trailing. On the flip side, Chick-fil-A and Burger King stood out for order accuracy, while Hardee’s, Arby’s, and Dunkin’ lagged behind.
This survey confirms what many fast-food enthusiasts have long suspected: where you choose to hit the drive-thru can significantly impact your dining experience. So, whether you’re seeking speedy service or order accuracy, it’s worth considering the fast food chain that fits your preferences.
