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How the drive-thru became an American icon
AP News • • business
Key Points:
- The drive-thru restaurant concept, combining fast food and cars, originated in the late 1940s with either In-N-Out Burger in California or Red’s Giant Hamburg in Missouri, marking a significant American innovation.
- By the mid-1960s, drive-thrus had expanded widely, inspiring unique restaurant designs like Jack in the Box’s drive-thru only model and Wienerschnitzel’s car tunnel structures.
- The rise of drive-thrus influenced menus to focus on portable foods such as sandwiches and fries, and even affected car designs to include larger drink holders.
- Modern drive-thrus have evolved into efficient, multi-lane systems with staff using electronic tablets to streamline orders, exemplified by Chick-fil-A’s approach.
- The drive-thru has become a cultural icon in America, recognized by institutions like the Smithsonian and playing a role in political campaigns, symbolizing values of speed, efficiency, and convenience.
