The Most Popular Drive-thru Restaurants, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the drive-thru restaurants you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 24, 2024 06:16
In a busy world where convenience and speed often dictate dining choices, drive-thru restaurants have become a cornerstone of daily life for many. By ranking these go-to spots, customers can share their preferences and help others make informed choices on where to grab a quick bite that satisfies both taste and time constraints.
This dynamic list changes with your votes, reflecting real-time changes in public opinion and taste trends. Whether you're looking for the best burger on the go or the quickest coffee pickup, your input directly shapes this list, guiding fellow diners to quality experiences at the window.
What Are the Most Popular Drive-thru Restaurants?
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154votesWith over 38,000 locations worldwide, McDonald's is the most popular drive-thru restaurant. The fast-food chain is famous for its burgers, fries, and shakes.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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219votesKnown for its coffee and pastries, Starbucks has over 31,000 locations worldwide, many of which have drive-thrus.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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319votes
Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0Taco Bell
Glen BellPopular for its Mexican-inspired fast food, Taco Bell has over 7,000 locations worldwide, many of which have drive-thrus.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 4 of 10 in Most popular fast food in California
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular drive-thru
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412votesFamous for its square burgers and Frosty desserts, Wendy's has over 6,700 locations worldwide, many of which have drive-thrus.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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520votes
Burger King
Burger King CorporationKnown for its flame-grilled burgers, Burger King has over 18,000 locations worldwide, many of which have drive-thrus.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
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69votesFamous for its fried chicken, KFC has over 24,000 locations worldwide, many of which have drive-thrus.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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74votes
Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0Dunkin' Donuts
William RosenbergKnown for its coffee, donuts, and breakfast sandwiches, Dunkin' Donuts has over 12,000 locations worldwide, many of which have drive-thrus.Dunkin' Donuts is a popular drive-thru restaurant chain that specializes in serving coffee and baked goods. With over 11,000 locations worldwide, it has become a household name for many coffee and donut enthusiasts. The menu includes a variety of donut flavors, bagels, muffins, sandwiches, and an extensive selection of hot and cold beverages.- Founded: 1950
- Headquarters: Canton, Massachusetts, USA
- Number of locations: 11,000+
- Signature product: Original Blend coffee
- Menu items: Donuts, bagels, muffins, sandwiches, coffee, tea, and more
Dunkin' Donuts in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular donut franchise
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular donut place
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular bakery in America
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous coffee shop
- Position 10 of 10 in Most successful franchise in the Philippines
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87votesFamous for its chicken sandwiches, Chick-fil-A has over 2,600 locations worldwide, many of which have drive-thrus.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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95votes
Soonerfever at English Wikipedia · Public domainSonic Drive-In
Troy N. Smith Sr.Known for its retro-style drive-ins with carhop service, Sonic has over 3,500 locations in the United States, all of which have drive-thrus.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
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100votes
Marek Ślusarczyk (Tupungato) www.wyprawa.info · CC BY 2.5Tim Hortons
Tim Horton and Ron JoyceFamous for its coffee and donuts, Tim Hortons has over 4,800 locations worldwide, many of which have drive-thrus.Tim Hortons is a renowned Canadian fast-food restaurant chain famous for its coffee and doughnuts. It has become an iconic staple of Canadian culture and has expanded globally.- Founded: 1964
- Headquarters: Toronto, Canada
- Number of Locations: over 4,800
- Product Range: Coffee, doughnuts, baked goods, breakfast items, lunch options, and more
- Drive-thru Availability: Available at most locations
Tim Hortons in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular restaurant in Canada
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular donut franchise
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular donut place
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular culture in Canada
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous coffee shop
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular bakery in America
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Ranking factors for popular drive-thru restaurants
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Sales revenueAnalyzing the total annual sales or average sales per location gives an indication of a restaurant's popularity and success in attracting customers.
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Number of locationsThe total number of locations in a specific region or worldwide shows how well-established and widespread a drive-thru restaurant is.
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Customer satisfactionCustomer reviews, ratings, and feedback can be gathered from various online sources and surveys to determine how much customers like a particular drive-thru restaurant.
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Menu diversity and innovationThe variety and uniqueness of menu items offered, as well as the introduction of new items and limited-time offers, play a significant role in attracting and retaining customers.
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Speed of serviceDrive-thru restaurants should deliver quick service, so measuring the average time it takes for customers to place and receive their orders is crucial.
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Value for moneyComparing the prices and portion sizes offered by various drive-thru restaurants can provide an overall picture of which ones offer the best value for money.
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Brand recognitionThe level of brand awareness and reputation a drive-thru restaurant has in the market can influence its popularity and success.
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Healthier optionsDrive-thru restaurants offering healthier menu options may be more popular among health-conscious consumers.
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Marketing strategiesThe effectiveness of a restaurant's marketing and advertising campaigns can significantly impact its popularity and reach.
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Drive-thru layout and designAn easy-to-navigate, efficient, and visually appealing drive-thru layout can enhance the overall customer experience.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular drive-thru restaurants. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Drive-thru restaurant is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1173 views
- 150 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Drive-thru restaurant once every 24 hours. The rank of each Drive-thru restaurant is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
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More information on most popular drive-thru restaurants
Drive-thru restaurants have become a popular choice for those who are on-the-go or simply looking for convenience. With the ability to quickly order and receive food without leaving your vehicle, it's no wonder why drive-thru restaurants have become a staple in the fast food industry. From classic burger joints to popular coffee chains, there are a variety of drive-thru options available. In this article, we'll explore the most popular drive-thru restaurants based on StrawPoll's extensive database of user-generated polls and rankings.
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