McDonald's, already a drive-thru heavy hitter with 25,000 worldwide, says that 70% of sales in top markets are drive-thru orders. Drive-thru orders have grown across the fast-food industry since the pandemic closed many dining rooms. The expansion comes as fast-food and fast-casual brands across the country are optimizing drive-thrus. Read more: Shake Shack, Panera, and Chipotle open drive-thrus to keep up with fast-food rivals like McDonald's and Taco Bell According to analysts from Stifel, Chipotle shows some of the'most compelling unit growth prospects' based on the success of Chipotlanes. With promising results from the fourth quarter of 2020, the new drive-thru lanes look like a key to the chain's continued success. CEO Brian Niccol said in an earnings call that Chipotle plans to more than double its locations. Now, the brand is investing in building more online-order only 'Chipotlanes' and opening new locations. Chipotle's digital sales exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic, making up more than half of sales in 2020. I visited one in Canandaigua, New York to document the experience.īy early 2019, Chipotle had 10 US Chipotlanes, and executives told Insider that they planned to open dozens more, while also investing in digital ordering.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.Ĭhipotle joined other fast food brands investing in drive-thru technology and online ordering with Chipotlanes.

Chipotlanes are part of the trend of fast-food chains investing in drive-thru and app technology.

I tried out the new Chipotlane in Canandaigua, New York.

Chipotle added drive-thrus to some locations, called Chipotlanes.

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