McDonald's Drive-Thrus Are Getting Slower

McDonald's drive-thrus are getting slower.

A study conducted by QSR Magazine found that McDonald's drive-thru transactions took an average of 189.5 seconds from order to pick-up, USA Today reported.

That's the slowest time since QSR started the study 15 years ago, and nine seconds longer than the industry average.

Why has service at McDonald's slowed down?

The fast food chain's rapidly expanding menu makes it difficult for employees to get people's orders together, Sam Oches, editor at QSR, told USA Today.

The menu at McDonald's has grown 70% since 2007, Bloomberg reported last year.

"It's gotten to the point where the operation has kind of broken down and that's all a symptom of the complication of the menu," said Richard Adams, a consultant and former McDonald's store owner, told Bloomberg's Leslie Patton. "They can't make the food fast enough."

McDonald's cut a few items this year, including Chicken Selects, the Apple Walnut Salad, and Angus Third Pounders.

However, it added Mighty Wings, several new Quarter Pounders, and an Egg White Delight breakfast sandwich.