The Most Popular Drive-thru, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the drive-thru you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 3, 2024 06:35
In the busy whirl of daily life, a quick stop at a drive-thru can mean the difference between a rushed day and a manageable one. Choosing the right spot for a speedy meal, a great cup of coffee, or even essential errands can turn a hectic morning into a smooth start. That's why knowing the most popular and trusted options is key; it saves time and enhances daily routines.
This list reflects real opinions from everyday users who value expediency and quality. By voting on your preferred drive-thrus, you help shape a real-time ranking that benefits everyone looking to make quick and efficient choices. Your input ensures that only the best services shine, guiding numerous others to make informed decisions swiftly.
What Is the Most Popular Drive-thru?
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168votesWith over 14,000 locations in the U.S. alone, McDonald's is the largest and most well-known fast-food chain in the world.McDonald's is a fast-food restaurant chain known for its drive-thru service and iconic Golden Arches logo. It specializes in serving burgers, fries, chicken, and other fast-food items.
- Founded: 1940 (San Bernardino, California)
- Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Number of Locations: Over 38,000 (worldwide)
- Global Revenue: Approximately $21 billion (2019)
- Menu Offerings: Burgers, Fries, Chicken, Breakfast items, Salads, Desserts
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232votesKnown for their coffee and tea, Starbucks has over 15,000 locations in the U.S.Starbucks is a popular drive-thru restaurant known for its specialty coffee and beverages. It offers a wide range of hot and cold drinks, including various types of coffees, teas, iced beverages, and blended drinks. In addition to beverages, Starbucks also provides a variety of pastries, sandwiches, and snacks.
- Locations: Over 30,000 worldwide
- Drive-thru availability: Yes
- Mobile ordering: Available
- Rewards program: Starbucks Rewards
- Menu variety: Extensive
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316votesFamous for their chicken sandwiches, Chick-fil-A has over 2,600 locations in the U.S.Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant chain known for its signature chicken sandwiches and American cuisine. It is popular for its high-quality ingredients, friendly service, and unique drive-thru experience.
- Established: 1946
- Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Number of Locations: over 2,600
- Signature Dish: Original Chicken Sandwich
- Menu Variety: chicken entrees, salads, sides, and desserts
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412votes
Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0Taco Bell
Glen BellKnown for their Mexican-inspired cuisine, Taco Bell has over 7,000 locations in the U.S.Taco Bell is a fast-food restaurant chain specializing in Mexican-inspired cuisine. It is known for its wide variety of tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and other Tex-Mex dishes.- Founded: March 21, 1962
- Headquarters: Irvine, California, United States
- Number of Locations: Over 7,000 (2020)
- Parent Company: Yum! Brands, Inc.
- Food Type: Fast Food, Tex-Mex
Taco Bell in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular drive-thru restaurants
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular fast food in California
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516votes
Burger King
Burger King CorporationWith over 7,000 locations in the U.S., Burger King is known for their flame-grilled burgers.Burger King is a popular drive-thru restaurant chain that specializes in offering flame-grilled burgers, alongside a variety of other fast food options. The restaurant is known for its signature Whopper sandwich and its commitment to flame-grilling to provide a unique taste.- Founded: 1954
- Headquarters: Miami, Florida, United States
- Number of Locations: Over 18,000
- Global Presence: Operating in over 100 countries
- Menu: Burgers, sandwiches, chicken, salads, sides, desserts, breakfast items, beverages
Burger King in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular burger place in America
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular drive-thru restaurants
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611votesFamous for their square-shaped burgers and Frosty desserts, Wendy's has over 5,800 locations in the U.S.Wendy's is a popular fast food chain known for its square hamburgers and signature Frosty desserts. It is a drive-thru restaurant that offers a wide range of menu items, including burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, and sides. The brand is known for its fresh, never-frozen beef and customization options that allow customers to personalize their meals. With a focus on quality and value, Wendy's has become a favored destination for quick and satisfying meals.
- Founded: November 15, 1969
- Headquarters: Dublin, Ohio, United States
- Number of Locations: Over 6,800 (as of 2021)
- Type: Subsidiary
- Menu Items: Burgers, Chicken Sandwiches, Salads, Sides, Desserts
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711votesKnown for their coffee and donuts, Dunkin' has over 9,000 locations in the U.S.Dunkin' is a well-known drive-thru restaurant famous for its coffee and baked goods. It offers a wide variety of hot and iced beverages, including freshly brewed coffee, espresso drinks, and flavored beverages. As for the food options, Dunkin' serves a range of donuts, muffins, bagels, sandwiches, and breakfast items. The drive-thru concept allows customers to conveniently order and pick up their food and drinks without leaving their vehicles.
- Established: 1950
- Headquarters: Canton, Massachusetts, USA
- Number of Locations: Over 12,000 worldwide
- Popular Beverages: Coffee, Iced Coffee, Latte, Cappuccino
- Signature Donuts: Glazed, Boston Kreme, Strawberry Frosted
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82votesWith over 4,000 locations in the U.S., KFC is known for their fried chicken.KFC is a popular drive-thru restaurant chain known for its fried chicken. It offers a variety of chicken-based meals, sandwiches, and sides. KFC is best known for its secret blend of 11 herbs and spices, which gives its chicken a unique and flavorful taste.
- Established: 1930
- Headquarters: Louisville, Kentucky, United States
- Number of Locations: Over 22,000
- Parent Company: Yum! Brands
- Menu Items: Fried chicken, chicken sandwiches, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, biscuits, etc.
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98votes
Soonerfever at English Wikipedia · Public domainSonic Drive-In
Troy N. Smith Sr.Known for their burgers and unique drinks, Sonic has over 3,500 locations in the U.S.Sonic Drive-In is a popular drive-thru restaurant chain known for its drive-in format where customers can order and enjoy their meal from the comfort of their own vehicles. Founded by Troy N. Smith Sr. in 1953, Sonic has evolved into a prominent fast food chain with a unique dining experience.- Type: Fast Food
- Founded: 1953
- Format: Drive-In
- Headquarters: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
- Number of Locations: 3,500+
Sonic Drive-In in other rankings- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular drive-thru restaurants
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102votes
Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0Pizza Hut
Dan and Frank CarneyKnown for their pizza, Pasta, and wings, Pizza Hut has over 7,000 locations in the U.S.Pizza Hut is a well-known fast-food restaurant chain specializing in pizza and pasta dishes. It offers dine-in, carry-out, and drive-thru services to cater to varying customer preferences. With its distinctive red roof design, Pizza Hut has become recognized globally for its delivery and takeaway services.- Established Year: 1958
- Headquarters: Plano, Texas, United States
- Number of Locations: Over 18,000 worldwide
- Drive-Thru Availability: Yes
- Delivery Service: Yes
Pizza Hut in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular pizza place
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular pizza chain
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular fast food in California
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular drive-thru
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Number of locationsThe more locations a drive-thru has, the easier it is for customers to access it, making it more popular.
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Speed of serviceCustomers want their food fast and efficiently, so drive-thrus that are known for having quick service tend to be more popular.
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Quality of foodConsistently good-tasting food is important in attracting and maintaining a loyal customer base.
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Menu varietyA diverse menu with a variety of options can appeal to more people and increase the drive-thru's popularity.
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AffordabilityDrive-thrus that offer good value for money tend to be more popular among customers who are conscious about their spending.
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Brand reputationA well-known and well-regarded brand will naturally attract more customers than a lesser-known brand.
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Customer serviceFriendly and attentive staff can make the drive-thru experience more enjoyable and lead to increased popularity.
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Cleanliness and hygieneCustomers are more likely to return to drive-thrus that maintain high levels of cleanliness and hygiene.
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Marketing and promotionsEffective marketing and promotional efforts can increase the drive-thru's visibility and popularity.
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Social media presence and online reviewsPositive online reviews and an active social media presence can help raise the profile of the drive-thru and attract more customers.
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Availability of healthier optionsWith increasing health consciousness, drive-thrus that offer healthier menu choices can attract a wider range of customers.
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Environmental impactSustainable practices and eco-friendly packaging may appeal to environmentally-conscious customers, contributing to the drive-thru's popularity.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular drive-thru. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Drive-thru is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1930 views
- 172 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Drive-thru once every 24 hours. The rank of each Drive-thru is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular drive-thru
Drive-thrus have become an integral part of our fast-paced lifestyles. They offer a convenient way for people to grab a quick meal or drink on the go. But have you ever wondered which drive-thru is the most popular? At StrawPoll, we've conducted numerous polls on this topic and the results may surprise you. From fast food chains to coffee shops, we've analyzed the data to bring you insights into the most beloved drive-thrus across the country. Join us as we explore the most popular drive-thrus and what makes them stand out from the rest.
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