The drive-thru concept has been an integral part of Chick-Fil-A restaurants for over 30 years, just like the availability of breaded chicken and two pickles in Chick-Fil-A’s Chicken sandwiches.
However, how does Chick-Fil-A’s drive-thru work? How fast is a chick-fil-A double drive-thru? Keep reading to get factual answers to these questions and much more!
How Does Chick-Fil-A’s Drive-Thru Work In 2024?
Chick-fil-A’s drive-thru is heavily supported by the evolving technology and innovation matrix to help the efficiency and effectiveness of serving customers in 2024. The technology enables team members to receive a customer’s order, relay it to the kitchen, and finally serve customers more quickly through the drive-thru.
Keep reading to learn how to use Chick-Fil-A’s drive-thru, why Chick-Fil-A changed its drive-thru, and much more!
How Do You Use Chick-Fil-A’s Drive-Thru?
The four steps on how to use Chick-Fil-A’s drive-thru are:
- Open up the Chick-Fil-A One App
- Choose “Drive-thru” as your pick-up option
- Customize and place your order
- Pick up your order in the Drive-thru
How Effective Is Chick-Fil-A’s Double Drive-Thru?
The face-to-face ordering system allows Team Members to take customer’s order and transmit it to the kitchen, allowing customers to move faster through the drive-thru.
In this case, Chick-fil-A team members head out into the drive-thru queue and use Bluetooth-enabled digital tablets to take customers’ orders in person.
This system accepts a high volume of orders to the kitchen, thus allowing efficient operations within the double drive-thru.
Incorporating new technology into the system has always enabled Team Members to go beyond the drive-thru window for meal delivery.
Furthermore, the restaurant refers to it as “outside meal delivery.”
Why Do Chick-Fil-A Employees Take Orders Outside?
Team Members pick orders outside the restaurant during peak hours.
This allows the company to take more orders since employees walk up to the cars and take all orders to serve customers at once.
Moreover, team members taking orders from outside is part of an external ordering system developed by Chick-Fil-A.
Why Did Chick-Fil-A Change Its Drive-Thrus?
Currently, some Chick-Fil-A locations are experimenting with replacing the traditional drive-thru window with a door.
This mechanism allows team members to make free movement and serve food to customers.
Furthermore, serving customers directly is more professional and improves the rapport between the employees and customers.
How Is Chick-Fil-A’s Drive-Thru So Fast?
Chick-Fil-A drive-thru consists of two iPads that employees use for taking orders virtually.
Therefore, the tablets allow customers to see workers face-to-face without waiting for them to reach the building physically.
Additionally, placing team members outside helps in putting the right people in the right places to shave off unnecessary time.
Chick-fil-A also has an automated payment method that allows customers to make an instant payment at the drive-thru.
How Can I Use Chick-Fil-A’s Mobile App To Pay In Its Drive-Thru?
A customer can download the free Chick-Fil-A app from the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android devices.
Once a customer downloads the app, they can register for an account and load funds onto it using their credit or debit card information.
Additionally, when customers are ready to pay, they tap the “Pay” button and scan their account’s unique Quick Response Code (QR code) at the register or drive-thru window.
Furthermore, the meal cost will be automatically deducted from the account balance.
What Strategies Does Chick-Fil-A Use to Improve Its Drive-Thru’s Speed Of Service?
Below are the strategies Chick-Fil-A uses to improve its drive-thru’s speed of service;
- Skilled And Well-Trained Employees
Chick-Fil-A trained its staff to be thoughtful, helpful, and welcoming at every step, from the initial order to the final check-out.
A “customer is always right” attitude, coupled with effective service that gets a person’s order into their hands fast, will always result in customer satisfaction.
- Keep Window Stocked
Smooth and efficient operations are the true definition of proper preparation.
Chick-Fil-A team members at the drive-thru ensure the drive-thru is stocked with plenty of products and supplies, from lids to straws and napkins,
This way, restocking doesn’t slow down the flow of orders or vehicles.
- Talking to Customers respectfully.
Even in cases when a clerk has to ask a customer to hold for a moment, talking to them respectfully can help reassure customers that their order is essential and will be ready soon.
At chick-Fil-A’s drive-thru, employees are acquainted with the necessary skills to make customers feel more valued.
Furthermore, employees use warm phrases such as “my pleasure” to promote a customer-focused approach.
- Enhanced Visibility
Whether digital signage or drive-thru lighting, chick-fil-A ensures customers can quickly see and identify the drive-thru lane, menu, and check-out window.
Furthermore, proper visibility always allows smooth and quick operations at Chick-fil-A drive-thrus.
- Updated Menu Boards
In the company’s quest to avoid confusion and frustration, chick-fil-A provides updated menus in its drive-thru with unavailable options marked.
Additionally, the company has its deals and promos marked and labeled to enhance traffic speed at the drive-thru.
- Install Confirmation Boards
Chick-Fil-A minimizes human errors by installing confirmation boards within the drive-thru.
These digital signs post customers’ orders in real-time, allowing them to make edits or changes before driving forward to the payment window.
- Move Staff Outside
Chick-fil-A’s drive-thru has achieved success by increasing orders through onsite staff coming up to car windows to take orders.
For instance, as the order-taker walks the line, another team member comes to the customer’s car to take payment, allowing cars to move through the drive-thru twice as fast.
- Contactless Payment System
To achieve a super-fast drive-thru experience, chick-fil-A adopted scan-to-pay contactless payment systems to make the entire process swifter.
Furthermore, Chick-fil-A restaurants nationwide are now accepting mobile payments through its app so that customers can use their smartphones to pay.
- Great Services
Chick-Fil-A is known for its outstanding and marvelous services that have always kept its customers happy and wanting more.
The company has achieved this by hiring and positioning the best-qualified workers who offer customers outstanding service.
Why Does Chick-Fil-A Have Fans In Its Drive-Thrus?
At its locations nationwide, Chick-fil-A has been working to protect employees from harsh weather when working outdoors.
Hence, the fast-food restaurant’s drive-thru canopies are equipped with fans.
Further, the canopies function as a shade from rain or sun.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on where can you buy Chick-Fil-A sauce, what is Chick-Fil-A Polynesian sauce, and is Chick-Fil-A halal.
Conclusion
To conclude, Chick-fil-A’s drive-thru is an integral element in its operations nationwide. Furthermore, the company has, over the years, incorporated new technologies to ensure smooth and efficient operations in its drive-thrus.
Chick-fil-A is also keen on providing customer care services such as availing fans and canopies in its drive-thrus to protect everyone from hot weather during work hours.