Which Fast-Food Chains Have the Fastest (and Slowest) Drive-Thrus?

Fast-food drive-thrus are meant to offer quick meals on the go, but not all are created equal when it comes to speed. Some chains get you in and out faster than others, while some, despite having longer lines, prioritize order accuracy and customer satisfaction over speed. So, which fast-food chains are the fastest and which are the slowest? A new study analyzed 10 of the biggest chains in the U.S. to find out. Let's take a look at the latest data to see how six of your favorite drive-thru ranks.

What Are the Fastest Fast-Food Drive-Thrus?

When hunger strikes and time is of the essence, these three fast-food chains have proven to offer the quickest drive-thru experiences in terms of average wait time.

1. Carl's Jr.^®/Hardee's^®

A Carl's Jr. restaurant in Boron, California. Photo courtesy of TaurusEmerald under CC BY-SA 4.0.

With an average wait time of just 50.76 seconds, Carl's Jr. and Hardee's are the fastest in the drive-thru game. Whether it's a breakfast order or a burger combo, you can count on this chain to get your food quickly, making it a top choice for anyone in a rush.

Carl's Jr. and Hardee's are owned by the same parent company and have similar menus. Carl's Jr. restaurants can be found in the American West, while Hardee's is in the East and Midwest.

2. KFC^®

A KFC restaurant in Murphy, North Carolina. Photo courtesy of Harrison Keely under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Coming in close behind with an average wait time of 53.06 seconds, KFC offers one of the fastest drive-thru experiences in the fast-food industry. Known for its quick service and signature recipe fried chicken, KFC ensures that customers don't have to wait long to satisfy their cravings.

3. Taco Bell^®

Taco Bell follows with an average wait time of 61.62 seconds. While slightly slower than Carl's Jr. and KFC, Taco Bell still ranks among the fastest drive-thrus. With its dedication to improving efficiency through innovations like its four-lane drive-thru Taco Bell Defy concept, the chain consistently delivers fast service that keeps customers coming back.

A Taco Bell restaurant in Camilla, Georgia. Photo courtesy of Michael Rivera under CC BY-SA 4.0.

What Are the Slowest Fast-Food Drive-Thrus?

On the other end of the spectrum, these fast-food chains are known for their longer drive-thru times. However, they make up for it in other ways, such as order accuracy and customer satisfaction.

1. Chick-fil-A^®

A Chick-fil-A restaurant in Salt Lake City, Utah. Photo courtesy of Saalebaer under CC0 1.0.

Chick-fil-A ranks as the slowest fast-food drive-thru with an average wait time of 181.15 seconds. While this is significantly longer than the fastest chains, Chick-fil-A's long lines are often due to its immense popularity, with an average of 3.41 cars in line at any given time. Despite the wait, Chick-fil-A consistently ranks highest in customer satisfaction and order accuracy, making the longer wait worth it for many customers.

2. Raising Cane's^®

A Raising Cane's restaurant in Woodbury, Minnesota. Photo courtesy of Tony Webster under CC BY 2.0.

Raising Cane's comes in second among the slowest drive-thrus, with an average wait time of 126.03 seconds. While the chain is known for its high-quality chicken, customers may find themselves waiting longer compared to faster competitors and wondering what could be taking so long, the menu is menu is mainly just chicken strips. However, like Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane's makes up for its long waits with excellent customer service and consistently high satisfaction ratings.

3. McDonald's^®

A McDonald’s restaurant in Massachusetts. Photo courtesy of Kenneth C. Zirkel under CC BY-SA 4.0.

McDonald's, the biggest giant in the fast-food world, has an average wait time of 103.85 seconds. Although it doesn't offer the fastest service, McDonald's still delivers consistent quality and high order accuracy. For many, the extra wait time is a small price to pay for a reliable and familiar meal.

Is Faster Better?

If you're in a hurry, Carl's Jr./Hardee's, KFC, and Taco Bell are your best bets for a quick drive-thru experience. On the other hand, if you don't mind waiting a little longer for friendly service and accurate orders, Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane's, and McDonald's may still be worth the extra time.

At the end of the day, whether you value speed or satisfaction more, there's a fast-food chain that fits your needs.

References: Chick-fil-A Leads in Satisfaction, YUM! Brands Dominate Speed, and Raising Cane's Comes Out Strong in the Highly Anticipated 2024 Intouch Insight Annual Drive-Thru Study. | These are the fastest, most satisfying fast food chains: new study | New Report: This Fast-Food Chain Has the No. 1 Fastest Drive-Thru | There's No Difference Between Carl's Jr. and Hardee's — Until There Is