McDonald’s unveils the future of its business, from minimalist packaging to high-tech, triple-drive thru stores. McDonald’s announced new packaging, drive-thru technology, and an app in an investor call. The restaurant is working to increase drive-thru efficiency and streamline designs. During the pandemic, up to 70% of orders have come through MyMcDonald’s app skip lines, park in special pickup spaces, and some restaurants will be delivery and takeout only. The company says that the concepts could be tested in as many as 10,000 stores in the coming year.
Drive-thru orders have grown across the fast-food industry since the pandemic closed many dining rooms, and McDonald’s has been quietly working to shorten wait times since March. During COVID, McDonald’s says that 70% of sales in top markets are drive-thru orders. By October, wait times had dropped 2 seconds over the quarter. McDonald’s is already a drive-thru heavy hitter, with 25,000 worldwide, with plans for “increasing the speed of service … making it more personal… making it more convenient” McDonald’s head of digital customer engagement Lucy Brady said on the call.
Along with increasing drive-thru efficiency and simplifing menu, McDonald’s introduced new packaging that will rollout to every restaurant in the next two years, for what it says will be a consistent look, “so no matter where you are in the world, you can spot the same bag,” the company said in a press release.