The Rise of Drive-Thru Grocery Stores: Revolutionizing How America Shops in 2025

In today's fast-paced world, convenience has become the ultimate currency for retailers competing for customer loyalty. In fact, 55% of global consumers say they’re likely to spend more on commerce formats that are convenient to use, highlighting the growing demand for faster, easier shopping experiences. 

Among the most striking innovations reshaping grocery retail in 2025 is the rise of drive-thru grocery stores, a game-changing concept that blends the speed of fast food with the selection of a neighborhood supermarket. 

From startups like JackBe to long-running franchises like Farm Stores, retailers are racing to meet consumer expectations with efficient, tech-enabled solutions.

Why drive-thru grocery stores are gaining popularity

The drive-thru grocery store trend hasn't emerged in isolation. It's part of a broader shift in consumer behavior that has been accelerated by several factors. According to Cognitive Market Research, the global drive-thru food market was valued at $626.16 billion in 2022 and is forecasted to reach a staggering $1120.34 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual rate of 5.62% from 2023 to 2030.

While those figures primarily encompass fast food, grocery retailers are tapping into the same consumer demand for convenience and efficiency. The modern shopper increasingly values time and ease above all else. By the end of 2025, over 70% of grocery retailers will have integrated online ordering and fulfillment into their operations, driven by consumer demand for convenience and efficient shopping experiences.

Alex Ruhter, CEO of JackBe, a pioneering drive-thru grocery concept, explains the appeal: "We have studied customers' needs and created a shopping experience that's designed specifically for busy people. We're committed to our promise to make grocery shopping a better experience."

How drive-thru grocery stores work

Unlike traditional supermarkets where customers must navigate aisles, wait in checkout lines, and carry bags to their cars, drive-thru grocery stores streamline the entire process. The fundamental model works in one of two main ways:

The order-ahead model

The most common approach requires customers to order their groceries in advance through a dedicated app or website. At JackBe in Oklahoma, customers place orders via the retailer's custom, proprietary mobile app. In minutes, customers can submit an order and, when ready, pull into one of the drive-thru bays, where a JackBe associate will deliver the groceries directly to their car.

This model eliminates in-store browsing entirely, making it particularly appealing for planned shopping trips. It's especially attractive to those with mobility issues, parents with young children, or busy professionals who want to maximize efficiency.

The drive-thru express model

A second approach, embodied by chains like Farm Stores, offers a more spontaneous shopping experience. Farm Stores positions itself as "a combination of grocery store, bakery, and café" giving customers "the freshest products in the most convenient manner: the equivalent of a drive-thru supermarket express lane."These locations typically stock a curated selection of staple items that customers can purchase without leaving their vehicles.

Farm Stores describes their concept as "the drive-thru version of the '10 Items or Less' checkout lane of your supermarket, plus the drive-thru version of your favorite coffee shop or convenience store." This model works well for quick fill-in trips when customers need just a few items.

Technology driving the drive-thru revolution

Technology is at the heart of making drive-thru grocery stores viable and efficient. Several key innovations are enabling this retail evolution:

Advanced inventory management systems

One of the crucial technologies supporting drive-thru grocery operations is real-time inventory tracking. JackBe, for example, prides itself on accuracy, guaranteeing "no substitutions 100% of the time," and promising to handpick every item. This commitment to accuracy helps build customer trust in the drive-thru model.

AI-powered operations

Artificial intelligence is transforming how grocers manage their operations. AI stands as a defining force reshaping grocery retail in 2025, with industry analysts projecting a remarkable $136 billion in potential value to be unlocked in the industry by 2030.

In drive-thru grocery operations, AI helps with everything from demand forecasting to personalized recommendations. Some grocery operations are using AI for inventory balancing and adjusting supply processes based on highly accurate, day-specific demand forecasts, making these solutions increasingly relevant for drive-thru models where efficiency is paramount.

Leading examples of drive-thru grocery concepts

Several pioneering companies are already establishing themselves in the drive-thru grocery space:

JackBe

JackBe has been expanding its presence since opening its first location in Edmond, Oklahoma, in January 2023. The company now operates multiple locations, including a second store in Edmond that also serves as its corporate headquarters, occupying more than 42,000 sq. ft. in total and featuring a test kitchen. 

The JackBe concept is built on efficiency and convenience. With JackBe, customers can place an order anytime, anywhere, on a mobile app, drive to the nearest location, and have fresh, handpicked groceries delivered to their car. The company's model is resonating with consumers, as during the initial location's first few months of operation, more than 50% of the people who tried it returned to order more groceries. 

Farm Stores

With a longer history in the market, Farm Stores operates as a franchise model offering a drive-thru convenience store and grocery hybrid. Their business model focuses not just on groceries but on becoming "everyone's favorite snack shack for coffee, fresh-squeezed lemonade and orange juice, and hot & fresh breads & bakery snacks." This diversified approach drives daily traffic by catering to quick-stop needs like coffee, fresh juice, and baked goods, which bring customers back more often than traditional weekly grocery shopping.

Other notable drive-thru grocery concepts

There are other players exploring the drive-thru grocery space as well. Opie, a drive-thru grocery chain based in South Carolina, fulfills orders within minutes. Customers can park in any open spot, place an order through the Opie app, and tap "I'm at the store now" at checkout to confirm their arrival, which prompts store staff to bring out their groceries within minutes.

While traditional grocers have explored drive-thru models, so have digital-first retailers. Amazon, for example, opened drive-thru pickup locations for its grocery business, though it announced the closure of one Seattle site in early 2023.

The future of drive-thru grocery

The drive-thru grocery concept continues to evolve, with several trends pointing to its future direction:

Integration with broader omnichannel strategies

Rather than standalone concepts, drive-thru is increasingly becoming part of retailers' broader omnichannel strategies. Extenda Retail notes that the grocery retail landscape in 2025 is being shaped by "a unified POS system, enriched with AI and data," helping "grocery retailers leverage personalization to enhance customer interactions across all channels, from physical stores to e-commerce platforms”.

Automation and robotics

As technology advances, drive-thru grocery operations are likely to become increasingly automated. Interface Systems highlights that some companies are exploring "underground delivery systems that create a smoother journey from kitchen to car," while others are implementing "kitchen automation" to streamline operations. These technological advancements could make drive-thru grocery even more efficient.

Expansion and growth

The drive-thru grocery model appears poised for continued growth. Farm Stores is actively expanding, with a new location opened in Dallas, Georgia, and plans to grow further through franchising. JackBe's CEO Alex Ruhter explains their growth philosophy: "Every industry is subject to disruption, and grocery is no different. After researching the market, we knew that the traditional business model of in-store shopping didn't fit with convenience-minded, tech-savvy shoppers. What we offer, an app-driven, curbside drive-up grocery model, is resonating."

Will drive-thru grocery become the new standard?

Despite the growing popularity of drive-thru grocery concepts, they're unlikely to completely replace traditional supermarkets. Instead, they represent another option in the increasingly diverse grocery landscape, catering to specific shopping occasions and customer segments.

A grocery industry at a crossroads

The grocery retail landscape in 2025 stands at a transformative crossroads, shaped by technological innovation, evolving consumer preferences, and persistent economic pressures. These trends reflect a grocery industry that is rapidly adapting to meet the demands of increasingly sophisticated consumers who expect both value and convenience.

Drive-thru grocery stores exemplify this transformation, offering a compelling solution for time-pressed shoppers seeking convenience without sacrificing selection. As technology continues to advance and consumer preferences evolve, we can expect drive-thru grocery to become an increasingly important part of the retail ecosystem, though likely as a complement to rather than a replacement for traditional shopping experiences.

What this means for retailers

For grocery retailers considering their future strategy, the drive-thru model offers a compelling opportunity to meet changing consumer expectations while potentially achieving greater operational efficiency. As industry expert John Clear notes, technologies that "drive labor costs down and improve the shopper experience"are likely to see continued adoption, and drive-thru grocery certainly fits this description.

A glimpse into the future of food shopping

In a retail landscape where convenience is king, drive-thru grocery stores represent a significant innovation that's reshaping how Americans shop for food. While not every grocery trip will happen through a drive-thru lane, the concept has established itself as a valuable addition to the retail ecosystem, offering a glimpse into a future where technology enables ever more convenient and efficient shopping experiences.