Today, we have access to dozens of delicious (and very unhealthy) fast food options. McDonalds, Chick-Fil-a, Panda Express, Burger King, Taco Bell, Wendy's, and Starbucks are just a few of the establishments that many Americans can visit any time they want a cheap and easy meal. Despite the fact that there is quite a large selection to choose from, there is one thing that all of these restaurants have in common: They all have a drive-thru.
A drive-thru is perhaps the most convenient and fastest way for an individual to order food (with the exception of delivery). All you have to do is drive up to a speaker, place your order, and pick up your food at the window. Most of us have probably done this hundreds of times. But where did it all start? And what do drive-thrus have to do with car culture?
Let's dive into the interesting history of the drive-thru and find out!
Drive-Ins Inspired The Drive-Thru
Before drive-thrus were a thing, there were drive-ins. This form of restaurant began making appearances as far back as the 1920s. Supposedly, the first of its kind was a place called Kirby's Pig Stand that was opened in Dallas, Texas, in 1921. The premise was that people would park their cars in a stall and wait for a carhop (waiter/waitress) to arrive. The carhop would then take their order and eventually bring the food out to their car.
This method of food service eventually caught on throughout the country and continued to stay popular throughout the 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s. Alongside the latter stages of the drive-in movement was the growth of the muscle car segment. As a result, cars like that of Ford Mustangs and Chevy Chevelles became synonymous with the eateries.
McDonald's Popularized The Concept
In the mid-1970s, various diners and cafes began to realize that they could serve more people faster if they utilized a drive-thru window. The company that is most often credited with the concept is McDonalds.
Even though they were not the first to come up with the idea, they are responsible for popularizing this method of foodsservice. If you want to learn more about how McDonalds became the most popular fast-food restaurant, check out the video below.
As time went on, other nations around the world began to incorporate drive-thrus into many of their own restaurants. In Europe, the first of these establishments was Max Burgers in Pitea, Sweden, in 1981. In China, KFC was the first drive-thru restaurant to make a debut within the country; this occurred in 1987. Since then, tens of thousands of these facilities have sprung up all around the world.
Today, There Is Practically A Drive-Thru For Everything
Today, drive-thrus are not only limited to foodservice. Banks, pharmacies, liquor stores, hospitals, and even some funeral homes, now have drive-thru windows. Apparently, there is nothing that we won't try to make more convenient!
More recently, the COVID crisis has seemed to emphasize the need for drive-thrus. Not only have people been using these to avoid human contact and the chance of transmission they have also used them to receive their vaccinations. It does appear that we have grown quite attached to this method of service. It sure will be interesting to see how this trend continues to evolve in the near future!