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May 14, 2025 | Blog

Every Second Counts: The Hidden Power of the Drive-Thru

By Layla Maciver

At Datapost Solutions, we believe the drive-thru is more than just a service channel—it's a brand experience in motion. Every second, every interaction, and every choice a customer makes is an opportunity to build loyalty. 

At Datapost Solutions, we believe the drive-thru is more than just a service channel—it’s a brand experience in motion. Every second, every interaction, and every choice a customer makes is an opportunity to build loyalty. 

In an age of instant gratification and heightened expectations, creating a seamless drive-thru journey is not just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. When done right, it boosts revenue, enhances the customer experience, and improves operational efficiency.

Drive-Thru Revenue: Every Second Counts

The drive-thru is a key aspect of the QSR industry, contributing to over 60% of total revenue for many major brands. Yet many operators still treat it as an operational add-on rather than a strategic asset.

With our digital tools, including interactive ordering flows and customisation menus, customers can easily tailor their meals—whether it’s swapping sides, adding toppings, or upgrading sizes. These seemingly small choices result in meaningful increases in average order value (AOV).

Additionally, order confirmation boards (OCBs) are not just for verifying orders—they’re prime real estate for intelligent upselling. Our system can suggest add-ons, limited-time offers, or combo upgrades, all tailored to what the customer has already selected. It’s a powerful way to increase revenue without slowing down the line.

Improving the Customer Experience, One Visit at a Time

Speed alone doesn’t guarantee satisfaction. In fact, longer wait times have a direct and measurable impact on how customers perceive their visit. Studies show that even a 30-second delay can lead to noticeable drops in satisfaction, especially if customers feel their time isn’t valued.

At Datapost, we’ve integrated pre-sales menu technology into our drive-thru software. These digital menus identify returning customers using license plate recognition or app-linked profiles and adjust their display in real-time. 

This allows restaurants to greet customers with suggested items based on past orders, introduce personalised promotions, and even display names or loyalty statuses—creating a moment of surprise and delight.

These personal touches not only increase the chance of upselling, they make customers feel recognised and valued, which drives long-term loyalty and repeat visits.

Operational Excellence Through Smart Technology

An optimised drive-thru doesn’t just serve customers—it serves your staff, too. Efficiency behind the scenes is just as crucial as speed at the window. Our solution uses data-driven insights to improve the entire operational flow.

Here’s how:

  • Digital menus reduce confusion and speed up decision-making for customers, especially when paired with high-quality visuals and real-time updates.
  • Our intelligent queue management system staggers order entry based on kitchen throughput, preventing bottlenecks during peak times and improving kitchen performance.
  • Order accuracy is significantly improved—by as much as 7.5%—when customers are prompted to review and confirm their order on the OCB. This leads to fewer errors, fewer remakes, and lower food waste.

All of this translates to a faster, more predictable operation—something every QSR location needs, especially during high-traffic periods like lunch rush or late-night service.

Our Solution offers More Than Speed—It’s a Holistic Strategy

Optimising your drive-thru isn’t about shaving seconds for the sake of a stopwatch. It’s about creating an ecosystem where technology, customer experience, and operational efficiency work together to build stronger relationships with every visit. With Datapost Solutions, every drive-thru interaction becomes an opportunity to delight customers, increase revenue, and elevate your brand.

Ready to Tailor Your Solution?

Discover your unique digital solution with Datapost. Simply click below to get started, and fill out our contact form with your business details. Once we’ve processed your enquiry, we’ll connect you with one of our experts.