Drive-thrus have evolved significantly from their early days as single lanes. Given that about 70% of sales come from the drive-thru, it's clear that having an efficient drive-thru system is essential for the success of your quick-service restaurant (QSR). That's why we observe so many new types of drive-thrus today.
Here are the different types of drive-thru options.
Single Lane Drive-Thru
A single-lane drive-thru is a common setup used by many older quick-service restaurants. It has one line for cars, where each customer stops at one order point to place their order. Then, they drive to a window (or two, if there's a separate one for payment and another for picking up food). Cars move one at a time along the same path.
Y-Lane Drive-Thru
Y-Lane drive-thrus gives quick-service restaurant owners another option. They feature two lanes with separate ordering points, where customers can choose either lane. After ordering, the lanes merge into one for food pickup and payment.
Dual Lane Drive–Thru
A dual-lane drive-thru has two of everything: two lanes for cars to enter, two order points, two paths after ordering, and two pickup windows. This setup is great for stores with drive-thru windows on both sides of the building.
Tandem Drive–Thru
Your tandem drive-thru works like a regular single-lane drive-thru but can handle twice as many cars in the same space. It has two order points, two order takers, and two pickup windows, allowing two drive-thrus to operate at the same time on the same path.
“We are excited to introduce our advanced AI voice assistance system. It can take over the job of the order taker, replacing them with the AI voice assistant.”
Here are the main advantages of the AI drive-thru system.
- Voice-Activated Ordering: Customers can use their voices to place and confirm orders, making the process quicker and easier. They don't have to type or use a touchscreen, which saves time.
- Seamless Odoo Integration: When a customer confirms their order, it automatically goes into the Odoo 17 system. This means the staff can manage orders without extra work, making everything run smoothly behind the scenes.
- Multilingual Support: The system can speak and understand multiple languages. Customers can switch languages during their conversation, making it easier for everyone to use the service and feel included.
- Customizable Poster Content: Businesses can easily set up and change promotional posters that customers see on the screen. This feature allows them to show special deals and announcements without needing technical help.
- AI-Powered Voice Assistance: The system uses advanced AI technology to understand voices accurately. This helps reduce mistakes in orders, making customers happier with their experience.
- 24/7 Availability: The voice assistant is always on, day or night. This means customers can order whenever they want, and businesses can save on staff costs by using AI instead of human workers all the time.
- Addon Suggestions: The system can recommend extra items, like sauces or drinks when customers place their orders. This helps businesses sell more products and increase their sales.
- Fast and Easy to Use: The drive-thru system is designed to help customers place their orders quickly. This means less waiting time and a smoother experience for everyone.
- Cost-Effective Solution: By using an AI voice assistant instead of having more staff, businesses can save money over time on labour costs. This makes it a smart choice financially.
The system is flexible and can easily be updated to add new features or change existing ones based on what the business needs. This means it can grow and adapt as the business changes. Refer to our previous blog to learn how to transform Your Fast Food Service With AI-powered drive-thru Technology in Odoo.