
9 Drive Thru Design Ideas & Tips to Inspire Your Restaurant
Discover actionable drive-thru design ideas. From optimizing traffic flow to using smart technology, learn tips for designing the perfect drive thru.

Caroline PriceAuthor


Opening a Fast Food Restaurant Checklist
So many things go into opening a fast food restaurant. With this free PDF checklist, you'll set your new business up for success.
Get free downloadWith drive-thrus typically contributing 60-70% to a quick-service restaurant’s overall revenue, creating the right design can have a big impact on your bottom line. Customers expect fast, accurate service with seamless technology, and meeting these expectations requires thoughtful planning.
Whether you're refining an existing drive-thru or starting one from scratch, smart design decisions can lead to smoother operations, happier customers, and stronger sales.
From optimizing traffic flow and strategically placing your drive-thru equipment to planning for future trends, let’s dive into some actionable drive-thru design ideas to help you fuel your restaurant’s success!
Key takeaways
Ensure smooth operations by designing drive-thru lanes with clear signage, dedicated entry and exit points, and ample space for larger vehicles.
Incorporate digital menu boards and POS system integration to enhance order accuracy, update menus in real-time, and provide personalized customer experiences.
Install canopies, weatherproof equipment, and efficient drainage to ensure comfort and safety.
Use eye-catching signage, consistent branding, and thoughtful landscaping to create an inviting, memorable drive-thru experience.
Stay competitive by considering emerging technologies like AI-powered order management, voice recognition, and mobile app integration.
Opening a Fast Food Restaurant Checklist
So many things go into opening a fast food restaurant. With this free PDF checklist, you'll set your new business up for success.
Optimize drive-thru lane layout and traffic flow
A well-designed drive-thru lane layout is essential for ensuring smooth operations and minimizing bottlenecks. Start by analyzing traffic patterns during peak hours to identify potential choke points, and consider implementing dual-lane drive-thrus to handle higher volumes of customers and reduce wait times.
To optimize your drive thru’s traffic flow, keep these considerations in mind:
Clear signage: Use visible signs to guide customers through the drive-thru efficiently.
Dedicated entry and exit points: Prevent traffic congestion by separating entry and exit lanes.
Smooth curves and angles: Avoid sharp turns that could be difficult for larger vehicles to navigate.
Ample space: Design lanes to reduce the risk of lines overflowing onto public roads.
One great example is a Chick-fil-A in Owensboro, KY, which introduced a drive-thru system with three lanes and no merging, designed to streamline traffic flow. The inside lane is exclusively reserved for mobile orders, allowing customers who pre-order via the app to bypass traditional lanes entirely. This setup eliminates congestion and significantly reduces wait times, which is essential for a location serving over 200 cars during peak hours.
Incorporate digital menu boards and smart technology
Digital menu boards and smart technology are game-changers for modern drive-thru operations. These tools not only improve order accuracy, but also elevate the customer experience with dynamic, eye-catching displays. Some of the key benefits include:
Real-time updates: Easily update menus to reflect seasonal items, special promotions, or sold-out items.
Enhanced readability: High-resolution screens ensure that customers can quickly view menu options.
Personalized experiences: Leverage data to display tailored promotions based on customer preferences.
To maximize efficiency, integrate your digital menu boards with your POS system. This integration ensures that pricing, promotions, and inventory are synchronized across all touchpoints, allowing for quick and accurate order processing.
It will be crucial to find a balance between tech-driven efficiency and maintaining personal touch.
Phil Crawford
Chief Technology Officer, CKE
Strategically place drive thru equipment
Proper placement of drive-thru equipment streamlines operations and minimizes disruptions, creating a seamless and enjoyable experience for customers. Here are some key considerations for strategic placement:
Menu boards: Position menu boards at an optimal distance from the ordering point to give customers enough time to review options before placing their order. Ensure they are well-lit and visible from all vehicle heights.
Order intercoms: Place intercoms at a convenient height for drivers, making sure they are protected from noise interference to enhance clarity.
Order confirmation screens: Install these near the intercom so customers can quickly review their order and make changes if necessary.
Payment terminals: Ensure payment terminals are easy to reach and accommodate a variety of payment methods, including contactless and mobile options.
Pickup windows: Design the pickup window area with enough space for staff to move efficiently and for customers to retrieve their orders without difficulty.
According to The 2022 QSR Drive-Thru Report:
“For vital factors driving future drive-thru visits—what would inspire a repeat trip—more than half (58 percent) indicated order accuracy was most important. It was more than twice the second metric, speed of service, at 23 percent. A menuboard placed ahead of the ordering speaker (18 percent), order confirmation screens (18 percent), and the ability to pay with mobile phone or app (11 percent) rounded out the top 5.”
Design for weather protection and customer comfort
Incorporating weather protection into your design ensures that both customers and employees remain comfortable, regardless of the season. Here’s how to achieve this:
Canopies and overhangs: Install protective structures over key areas, such as the menu boards, ordering points, and pickup windows, to shield customers and equipment from rain, snow, or excessive sun.
Weatherproof equipment: Use weather-resistant materials for menu boards, intercoms, and payment terminals to ensure they work in all conditions.
Efficient drainage: Design drive-thru lanes with proper drainage systems to prevent water accumulation and ensure safe pathways for vehicles.
Lighting: Use bright to improve visibility during nighttime or inclement weather.
Enhance visibility and branding
A well-designed drive-thru should be easy to locate, visually appealing, and aligned with your restaurant's overall identity. Here’s how to achieve this:
Prominent signage: Use large, clear signs to guide customers to the drive-thru entrance and highlight special promotions or signature menu items.
Consistent branding: Incorporate your logo, colors, and fonts throughout the drive-thru area, from menu boards to canopies, to reinforce brand recognition.
Attention-grabbing menu boards: Create menu boards that are visually engaging and easy to read, incorporating high-quality images to showcase your offerings.
Landscaping and decor: Add landscaping, murals, or themed decor to make your drive-thru visually inviting and reflect your brand’s personality.
One unique example is Taco Bell. At select locations, the restaurant is installing Live Más Drive-Thru Cams. These camera stations allow customers to take photos by scanning a QR code at the end of the drive-thru lane. The initiative also engages participants by offering them a chance to be featured in Taco Bell's upcoming Super Bowl advertisement.
Prioritize safety and accessibility
Safety and accessibility are essential for both meeting legal requirements and demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and customer care. Use these ideas to create a drive-thru that meets the needs of all your customers:
ADA compliance: Ensure ordering points, payment terminals, and pickup windows are accessible for drivers with disabilities, including those in adapted vehicles.
Pedestrian safety: Clearly mark crosswalks and pedestrian zones to protect customers walking to and from the restaurant.
Security features: Install cameras and emergency call buttons.
Streamline pickup zones and flexible parking
With the rise of online ordering and curbside pickup, flexible solutions can make your restaurant more versatile and customer-friendly. Consider implementing these strategies:
Dedicated pickup spots: Reserve clearly marked parking spaces near the drive-thru for customers using curbside pickup or mobile app orders.
Multiple pickup options: Designate separate lanes or windows for standard drive-thru orders, online orders, and delivery drivers to reduce congestion and improve speed.
Signs: Use visible signs and directional arrows to guide customers to the appropriate pickup zones, minimizing confusion and delays.
Contactless service: Integrate touchless systems for curbside pickup, allowing customers to notify staff of their arrival and receive their order without leaving their vehicle.
Overflow parking: Include flexible parking spaces that can handle surges in traffic during peak hours or special events.
Leverage sustainable and energy-efficient design
By leveraging sustainable and energy-efficient design, your drive-thru can align with eco-conscious values and attract environmentally minded customers. Think about incorporating these green practices to demonstrate your commitment to sustainability while reducing operational costs:
Energy-efficient lighting: Install LED lights in the drive-thru area to lower energy consumption and improve visibility.
Solar power integration: Consider using solar panels to power digital menu boards, lighting, or other drive-thru equipment.
Eco-friendly materials: Build canopies, signs, and other structures using sustainable materials like recycled metal or responsibly sourced wood.
Waste reduction initiatives: Design your drive-thru to include recycling bins or collection points for customers to dispose of waste responsibly.
Green landscaping: Incorporate native plants and permeable pavements to reduce water use and improve stormwater management.
Plan for future trends and innovations
The drive-thru landscape is always evolving, with new technologies and consumer preferences shaping the way businesses operate. By staying ahead of these trends, you can ensure your drive-thru remains competitive, efficient, and appealing to customers. Here are some key areas to focus on:
AI-powered order management: Use artificial intelligence to streamline order-taking, reduce errors, and offer personalized recommendations based on customer preferences and order history.
Voice recognition technology: Implement voice recognition systems for faster, hands-free ordering that enhances convenience and reduces wait times.
Mobile app integration: Seamlessly integrate mobile ordering with your drive-thru system, allowing customers to place orders ahead of time and skip the line.
Automated kitchen systems: Pair your drive-thru with smart kitchen equipment to process orders faster and improve food consistency.
Advanced data analytics: Leverage data from your POS system to monitor peak traffic times, customer preferences, and operational bottlenecks, helping you make informed decisions.
Before rushing into any new trends, consider this advice from Phil Crawford, Chief Technology Officer for CKE, the parent company of Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr.:
“Some quick-service brands may have a brand image centered on personal, human interaction, which might be diminished with the implementation of AI technology… For these brands, it will be crucial to find a balance between tech-driven efficiency and maintaining their personal touch.”
Go the extra mile with these drive thru design ideas
Designing an effective drive-thru requires a thoughtful balance of functionality, customer experience, and innovation. From optimizing lane layouts and integrating digital menu boards to ensuring safety and accessibility, every detail plays a role in creating a drive-thru that exceeds customer expectations.
By prioritizing key elements such as weather protection, branding, and modern technology, you can create a drive-thru experience that is efficient, accessible, and welcoming year-round.
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DISCLAIMER: This information is provided for general informational purposes only, and publication does not constitute an endorsement. Toast does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of any information, text, graphics, links, or other items contained within this content. Toast does not guarantee you will achieve any specific results if you follow any advice herein. It may be advisable for you to consult with a professional such as a lawyer, accountant, or business advisor for advice specific to your situation.
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