Drive thru’s and McDonald’s go hand in hand. It is estimated that drive thru business makes up 70% of McDonald’s U.S. sales. It may be hard to believe, but for two decades, McDonald’s drive thru’s did not exist. However, one specific Arizona McDonald’s location inspired the company’s change that has now been a staple part of their business operating plan.
During the 1970s, McDonald’s was revamping its restaurants with red and white tiles, competing fast-food establishments on the West Coast had already implemented Drive Thru services. In 1974, the Dallas regional manager of McDonald’s proposed adding this feature to their restaurants to the vice president, Brent Cameron. Additionally, regional managers from Los Angeles and San Diego were also evaluating the possibility of establishing a Drive Thru. Subsequently, approval was given and the Dallas regional manager selected Oklahoma City as the ideal spot to set up the location with a Drive Thru.
In October 1974, the plan was to construct a four-column roof garden Drive Thru with the purpose of enabling two vehicles to stay sheltered while ordering. This project, however, was postponed when the decision was made to totally renovate the store that boasted a red and white color scheme.
News regarding the project was quickly disseminated and caused several McDonald’s Owner/Operators to ponder the potential of a Drive Thru. Subsequent to the initial launch being put on hold, McDonald’s first Drive Thru opened in Sierra Vista, Arizona on the 24th of January in 1975 as a result of a special need in the community.
At Fort Huachuca Army Base, the idea to progress was inspired by the soldiers. Sales at the restaurant were diminishing because the soldiers were required to abide by the regulation of remaining in their vehicles while wearing Army uniforms when not on base. The inspiration to move forward stemmed from soldiers located at Fort Huachuca Army Base.
David Rich found a solution to the issue by putting in a sliding window in the wall for the Drive Thru orders. Consequently, the first McDonald’s Drive Thru came into existence in Arizona. The need to provide food service to miliary personnel was not only beneficial to the community, but to the franchisee. Following this, many more opened up in the U.S. and the Oklahoma City one eventually came to be. The company’s added improvement was accompanied by a 40% rise in sales.
The Drive Thru has always been a major hub of innovation. We salute the idea of making the McDonald’s experience easier for our service personnel that was started many years ago, as well as the franchisees that have continued to innovate since then.
