scorecardSee inside Chick-fil-A's newest drive-thru only location as the chain struggles with the highest wait times in fast food
  1. Home
  2. Retail
  3. news
  4. See inside Chick-fil-A's newest drive-thru only location as the chain struggles with the highest wait times in fast food

See inside Chick-fil-A's newest drive-thru only location as the chain struggles with the highest wait times in fast food

Mary Meisenzahl   

See inside Chick-fil-A's newest drive-thru only location as the chain struggles with the highest wait times in fast food
Photo by Tracy A. Woodward/The Washington Post via Getty Images
  • Chick-fil-A now has more than 30 drive-thru only locations after its most recent opening in Wisconsin.
  • Chick-fil-A has the slowest drive-thru times in the industry, but remains highly popular with customers.

Chick-fil-A just opened its newest drive-thru only location. It's in Wisconsin.

Chick-fil-A just opened its newest drive-thru only location. It
Chick-fil-A, closed Sunday      Scott Olson / Staff / Getty Images

The restaurant has no dining room or walk-up window.

The restaurant has no dining room or walk-up window.
Chick-fil-A

Customers must visit in a car to be served, Chick-fil-A says.

Customers must visit in a car to be served, Chick-fil-A says.
Chick-fil-A

Customers order either through the Chick-fil-A app, or through workers.

Customers order either through the Chick-fil-A app, or through workers.
Chick-fil-A

Then, they drive through one of the double drive-thru lanes to receive their food.

Then, they drive through one of the double drive-thru lanes to receive their food.
Chick-fil-A

This is the most recent addition to Chick-fil-A's more than 30 drive-thru only locations across the US, the chain told Insider.

This is the most recent addition to Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A

Given the chain's popularity and history of causing traffic jams, it enlisted an off-duty police officer to control traffic for the opening.

Given the chain
Chick-fil-A

The restaurant also created a new traffic plan with one lane of the road dedicated to Chick-fil-A customers.

The restaurant also created a new traffic plan with one lane of the road dedicated to Chick-fil-A customers.
Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A regularly has the slowest drive-thrus among major chains in studies, but that's because of its popularity causing long lines.

Chick-fil-A regularly has the slowest drive-thrus among major chains in studies, but that
Jeffrey Greenberg/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Source: Insider

It also frequently ranks among the highest for customer satisfaction, and is recognized as an industry leader with drive-thru innovations that have since been adopted by others in the business.

It also frequently ranks among the highest for customer satisfaction, and is recognized as an industry leader with drive-thru innovations that have since been adopted by others in the business.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Chick-fil-A popularized the double drive-thru that's since been adopted across the industry.

Chick-fil-A popularized the double drive-thru that
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Chick-fil-A has workers take orders on tablets to prevent bottle necking in the line, a tactic which has since been taken up by Starbucks.

Chick-fil-A has workers take orders on tablets to prevent bottle necking in the line, a tactic which has since been taken up by Starbucks.
Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Source: Insider

More recently, the chain began testing express drive-thru lanes exclusively for mobile orders.

More recently, the chain began testing express drive-thru lanes exclusively for mobile orders.
Chick-fil-A

Now, Chick-fil-A is competing with Chipotle, which has around 300 drive-thru only Chipotlanes.

Now, Chick-fil-A is competing with Chipotle, which has around 300 drive-thru only Chipotlanes.
Chipotlane.      Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Source: Insider

Chipotle says its Chipotlanes have higher margins and higher sales than traditional restaurants, so Chick-fil-A may be hoping for similar success with its own version.

Chipotle says its Chipotlanes have higher margins and higher sales than traditional restaurants, so Chick-fil-A may be hoping for similar success with its own version.
Chipotlane.      Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Advertisement