
Essential Drive-Thru Equipment: Systems, Tools, & Tips
Drive-thrus are a key revenue stream for quick-service restaurants. Discover the essential drive-thru equipment you need to serve on-the-go customers.

Caroline PriceAuthor


Opening a Fast Food Restaurant Checklist
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Get free downloadWith 65% of consumers preferring the convenience of drive-thru or pick-up options over dining in, the drive-thru is a critical source of revenue for quick-service restaurants. To meet customer expectations for speed, accuracy, and convenience, it’s essential to equip your drive-thru with the right tools, ensuring a seamless experience that keeps customers coming back.
Read on to discover must-have drive-thru equipment and practical tips for choosing the best tools to optimize your operations.
Key takeaways
An integrated POS system is the backbone of drive-thru efficiency, enabling seamless order tracking, faster transactions, and much more.
High-quality headsets, order confirmation screens, and kitchen display systems ensure accurate orders and a smooth flow of information from the front line to the kitchen.
Clear directional signage, pre-sell boards, and height restriction bars help manage traffic, reduce confusion, and create a seamless drive-thru experience.
Dedicated assembly stations, warming areas, and separate prep stations streamline operations and balance drive-thru and dine-in demands.
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.
Essential drive-thru equipment
From the moment a car pulls into the lane to when the order is handed over, every piece of drive-thru equipment plays a role in ensuring speed, accuracy, and satisfaction. Let’s take a look at the core components that help drive success.
1. Integrated POS system
A robust point-of-sale (POS) system is more than just a way to process payments; it’s a hub for managing orders, tracking sales, and streamlining communication between the front-of-house and kitchen staff.
Drive-thru customers expect fast and seamless service, especially during peak hours. A POS system with an intuitive interface can reduce errors, speed up transactions, and allow staff to focus on delivering excellent customer experiences. Prioritize these key features:
Speed and reliability: Ensure the system can handle high traffic without lag.
Order tracking: Connect orders seamlessly between the POS, kitchen display system, and payment terminals.
Contactless payment options: Offer customers faster, safer ways to pay.
Real-time reporting: Track sales and order trends to make data-driven decisions.
To take efficiency to the next level, consider a mobile POS system that enables staff to take orders directly from the drive-thru line. Chick-fil-A has mastered this approach—60% of its business comes from the drive-thru, and mobile POS devices allow employees to expedite the ordering process while delivering personalized service. Khalilah Cooper, Chick-fil-A’s Director of Service & Hospitality, explains the strategy behind their success:
“We think about our drive-thru design very intentionally to create a unique and different experience. The idea is to bring our hospitality out to the drive-thru… Operators like the idea of getting orders in sooner, but also greeting guests sooner so they could make a connection earlier. We think of it as a micro burst of hospitality.”
2. Drive-thru communication systems
Clear and reliable systems ensure that orders are accurate and customers leave happy. Here’s a breakdown of the essential communication tools every drive-thru needs:
Headsets and intercom system: High-quality headsets with noise-canceling technology ensure clear communication. An intercom system that’s easy to use helps staff hear orders accurately, minimizing misunderstandings and errors.
Order confirmation screens: Display orders for customer verification before they’re processed to improve order accuracy, enhance customer satisfaction, and upsell with visually appealing images of menu items.
Vehicle detection system: A sensor-based detection system alerts staff when a car arrives, ensuring customers are served promptly.
Kitchen display system (KDS): Display incoming orders in real time, helping kitchen staff prioritize and prepare items efficiently.
Together, these systems create a seamless flow of communication. For example, PYMNTS summarized Sonic Drive-In Vice President of Integrated Marketing and Communications Kim Lewis’s explanation of the restaurant’s ordering process:
“Customers push a button to begin placing their orders, prompting the screen to display featured items and special offers. They then verify the items in their order as the switchboard operator enters them. Once this step is complete, they can choose to pay by swiping their credit cards through a built-in reader, using payment methods linked to the digital wallets in the Sonic app or simply handing cash to their servers.”
3. Exterior signage
Exterior signage helps direct traffic, reduce confusion, and ensure customers can quickly and easily navigate the ordering process. Here are the key types of signage to include:
Clear directional signage: Keep traffic flowing smoothly with signage that guides customers through the drive-thru. Arrows, lane markings, and signs indicating entry and exit points reduce confusion and help avoid congestion.
Height restriction bars: Prevent oversized vehicles from entering the drive-thru lane. They’re especially important for drive-thrus with low clearance areas.
Pre-sell menu boards: Strategically placed at the beginning of the drive-thru lane, these boards showcase popular menu items and promotions. By giving customers more time to decide, pre-sell boards reduce bottlenecks at the ordering point.
Main menu board: Positioned next to the intercom, the main menu board provides a clear, comprehensive view of all menu offerings.
Payment point indicator: Signs that mark payment windows or kiosks keep customers informed and the process moving.
One great example of effective exterior signage is Taco Bell’s Go Mobile stores. They feature two drive-thru lanes: one for traditional drive-thru service and the other for mobile order pickups. The exterior signage clearly indicates which line is which, along with a 9’ height restriction bar in each lane.
4. Drive-thru kitchen equipment
The right kitchen equipment and setup allows staff to handle high volumes while maintaining order accuracy and food quality. By equipping your kitchen with these essentials, you can create a seamless workflow that supports both speed and quality:
Dedicated assembly station: Speed is everything in a drive-thru. A designated assembly area ensures staff can prepare orders quickly and efficiently, reducing bottlenecks during peak hours.
Separate warming areas: Keeping food fresh and at the right temperature is crucial for customer satisfaction. Warming areas specifically for drive-thru orders ensure that meals are hot and ready for pick-up without delaying other kitchen tasks.
Multiple prep stations: Balancing dine-in and drive-thru orders can be a challenge, especially during busy times. Separate prep stations for each service type help streamline workflows and prevent cross-traffic in the kitchen.
Extra storage: Drive-thru operations often require additional supplies, such as bags, containers, and utensils. Having dedicated storage for these items keeps everything organized and easily accessible.
Involving your team in decisions about kitchen equipment is a powerful way to improve efficiency and create a better work environment. Peter Hong, Global Director of Operations, Engineering, and Innovation at KFC, emphasizes the importance of team member feedback:
“When our team members share where there are opportunities for efficiency related to our drive thru, we listen… And there’s a good chance that if a team member in one restaurant spots an opportunity, dozens more have, too. When we make adjustments or implement new processes to address these friction points for team members, it makes their jobs and lives easier and often improves the guest experience as well.”
How to choose the right drive-thru equipment
Choosing the right drive-thru equipment isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about creating a seamless experience for both staff and customers. By investing in durable, adaptable, and user-friendly tools, you can set your drive-thru up for long-term success. Here are key considerations to guide your decision-making:
Durability and weatherproofing: Choose equipment rated for outdoor use, including rain, heat, snow, and humidity. Use canopies and enclosures to protect order points, menu boards, and pickup windows with weatherproof designs.
Adaptability to high volume: Your equipment should be scalable to handle peak periods without compromising quality. If your drive-thru has dual lanes, ensure your communication systems and POS can accommodate multiple orders simultaneously.
Ease of use: Tools that are intuitive and user-friendly improve workflow and minimize training time for staff. Ensure menu boards and payment kiosks are clear and accessible for all customers.
Integration capabilities: Ensure your POS, kitchen display systems, order confirmation screens, and inventory management system communicate in real-time. Choose equipment that can integrate with new systems as your operation grows.
Cost vs. value: While initial costs can be a factor, focus on the long-term value of high-quality equipment. For instance, equipment with energy-saving features can reduce operating costs over time.
Vendor reputation: Partner with vendors who specialize in drive-thru equipment and have a track record of reliability. Check testimonials and case studies from other restaurants.
Get in the fastlane to success with right drive-thru equipment
The right equipment transforms your drive-thru into a seamless, efficient service channel that keeps customers satisfied and coming back for more. From integrated POS systems that speed up transactions to communication tools that ensure smooth operations, every detail matters.
Whether you’re building a new drive-thru or modernizing an existing one, investing in top-quality equipment is essential. With thoughtful planning, you can streamline your operations, boost sales, and deliver an experience that keeps your drive-thru line moving and your customers happy.
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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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