Which is Better (or Faster)? Drive-Thru or Walk-In?

Have you been in the situation where you were looking at the long drive-thru line and wondered if it would ever be faster if you just got out of your car and went into the store?

Well, it is probably faster for you to stay in the drive-thru. Ok, but this is based on the amount of cars that are in line, past the order speaker and the policy of the business.

According to people online, if there are more than 4 cars in line and they haven't ordered, then it is faster to go in. If there are 4 cars in line and they are past the order speak (meaning they have already placed their orders) then it is allegedly faster to stay in the drive-thru.

Is this scientific? Probably not. Also, you have to take into account that most fast food restaurants also prioritize their drive-thru customers (Dunkin Donuts', McDonalds, Buger King, etc).

When did this come to my attention and why did I start doing this research? It was after standing and waiting at a Dunkin Donuts at 5:20am, with a particular busy drive-thru. In-fact, this particular shop, really wasn't set up to take customers at the counter. So much so that myself and one other person had to wait 12 minutes (with no one else physically in line in front of us) while the three workers all took car of the drive-thru. Note to-self: Don't stop at a place you don't normally stop at on your way to work unless you are really early to work.

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