---
title: "Drive-Thru Windows Gaining Popularity Among Fast Casuals"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/b142cfb1-d94f-4e32-9012-83fe7c889a98
source: "1851 Franchise"
original_url: https://1851franchise.com/drive-thru-windows-gaining-popularity-among-fast-casuals-2710487
category: "Restaurants"
industry: "Restaurants"
topics: ["Operations"]
published: 2019-07-10T22:17:01.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T02:31:44.537Z
image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/c9141df347b60716cf77f927c2df4d0d8561.jpg
---

# Drive-Thru Windows Gaining Popularity Among Fast Casuals

**TL;DR:** Drive-thru windows are gaining popularity among fast casual chains as they look to streamline their mobile ordering systems and provide immediate service. Fast casuals such as Chipotle, Blaze, and Cava are utilizing new techniques to perfect online ordering with drive-thru pick-up locations.

*originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2019-07-10. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/drive-thru-windows-gaining-popularity-among-fast-casuals-2710487).*

## Story

According to an article on Restaurant Dive, drive-thru windows are gaining popularity among fast casual chains who are looking to better streamline their mobile ordering system.

"Drive-thru looks very different than it used to and is less oriented toward customers, and more for delivery drivers," T3 President Ben Gaddis told Restaurant Dive.

As customers expect immediate service more and more, fast casuals such as Chipotle have begun utilizing new techniques to perfect online ordering. The recently rolled out Chipotlanes offer customers the chance to pre-pay online and pick up their food at a designated time without ever leaving the comfort of their car.

Other fast casuals such as Blaze and Cava are set to roll out their own pick-up by car locations later this year. Many fast food chains have also been shifting into drive-thru delivery as well, including Starbucks, Panera and Panda Express.

"I think once the franchisee community sees the benefits of having the online pick-up window, everyone is going to want it," Blaze Pizza SVP of Development Robert Kluger ?told Restaurant Dive.

While not every location is well-suited to drive-thru windows, fast casuals are continuing to develop this method as more business comes from online and apps.

## Entities

- 1851 Franchise (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- fast casual (topic)
- Starbucks (company)
- Chipotle (company)
- online ordering (topic)
- Blaze Pizza (company)
- mobile ordering (topic)
- Panda Express (company)
- drive-thru windows (topic)

---
Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/drive-thru-windows-gaining-popularity-among-fast-casuals-2710487). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/b142cfb1-d94f-4e32-9012-83fe7c889a98).