Quick Informal Govt Summit
How can drive-thrus navigate lengthy waits, order accuracy and modern tech? A panel on the Quick Informal Govt Summit will take a deep dive into the drive-thru panorama.
Photograph: Networld Media Group
July 18, 2025 by Bradley Cooper — Editor, ATM Market & Meals Truck Operator
The drive-thru is not what it was. With the growth in AI know-how, digital menu boards and different operational instruments, managing a drive-thru is not any easy process. As well as, buyer calls for for a seamless expertise have by no means been greater. Regardless of these improvements, most of the challenges and alternatives stay the identical on the drive-thru. A panel on the Quick Informal Summit, held in Austin, Texas from Oct. 5 to 7 will take a deep dive into the dynamics of the drive-thru, whereas additionally bettering income for off-premise orders.
Shokouh Shafiei, president and CEO of DSA Signage will average this dialogue with panelists Allen Beck, director of off-premise and catering at Costa Vida Recent Mexican Grill, Erin Levzow, progress advisor at Batch & Field, John Lucas, VP of brand name and franchise growth at Farmer Boys and Ashley Reed, director of digital and off-premise gross sales at Taco Cabana.
The large challenges
When requested what the largest problem within the drive-thru was, the panelists agreed that they boil right down to primary problems with accuracy and lengthy traces.
“One main problem in in the present day’s drive‑through panorama is balancing velocity with order accuracy, particularly throughout peak hours. Sooner service typically results in extra errors. Beneath stress, groups speeding to push vehicles by means of might mishear or mistype orders, which leads to growing errors,” Reed stated in an electronic mail interview.
Lucas agreed, pointing to “constant order accuracy” as an enormous problem on the drive-thru in an electronic mail interview.
Levzow pointed to a special problem in an electronic mail interview, that of, “managing lengthy traces and stopping backups, which may result in buyer frustrations.”
Options
When inspecting the way to deal with these challenges, the panelists acknowledged that each know-how and coaching are important.
Fore instance, Reed stated that to be able to deal with errors on the drive through, eating places ought to take into account, “investing in higher instruments, resembling clearer digital menu boards, and extra environment friendly kitchen workflows. And naturally, guaranteeing employees are nicely educated to make use of them successfully.”
Levzow pointed to modern know-how as an answer right here, as instruments that acknowledge clients and anticipates their wants may help velocity up drive-thru wait instances.
“Implementing applicable know-how that acknowledges a buyer as they pull up could make an enormous distinction. By creating a really seamless expertise, companies can improve effectivity and buyer satisfaction. This entails integrating programs that know and anticipate the shopper’s wants, minimizing wait instances and maximizing comfort,” Levzow stated.
What the panel will share
The panelists will go right into a deeper dive on the dwell occasion into not solely the way to run the drive-thru extra easily, however the way to create a stunning and enjoyable expertise for friends.
For instance, the panelists will talk about how AI ordering is shifting past order taking to providing extra customized experiences.
“I am particularly enthusiastic about how they’re evolving past easy order taking. It is conversational and feels pure. The flexibility to personalize solutions primarily based on a visitor’s ordering historical past. Fewer errors, and upselling capabilities, which is crucial in in the present day’s excessive quantity, labor constrained panorama,” Reed stated.
Levzow stated she was excited to debate how AI might create a “seamless one-click reorder” primarily based on clients previous knowledge.
“The drive-thru is a necessary channel for assembly clients the place they’re. Whereas it typically will get handled as a separate entity, it holds a singular alternative to shock and delight clients shortly and effectively. With the proper strategy, we are able to remodel the drive-thru expertise to not solely meet however exceed buyer expectations, sending them on their manner with a constructive impression and the will to return,” Levzow stated.
Nevertheless, regardless of all this nice know-how, the panel will even acknowledge the significance of excellent operational efficiencies and empowering staff to make use of the know-how correctly.
“Whereas tech is evolving quick, actual magic occurs when these instruments are paired with constant execution on the retailer degree,” Reed stated. “A superbly timed order, a transparent lane setup, a pleasant voice on the window, these particulars nonetheless matter. Get these proper, then layer within the tech to scale and optimize.”
Early hen pricing for the Quick Informal Govt Summit ends on July 25. Use the code AMCEDIT20 for 20% off checkout.
About Bradley Cooper
