The Hidden Costs of Drive-Thru Downtime (And How to Prevent It)
If you run a quick service restaurant, you already know your drive-thru is the lifeline of your business. But what happens when the system goes down? A broken headset, a dead battery, or a faulty speaker can cost you more than just time—it can hit your bottom line hard.
Downtime = Lost Sales
For most QSRs, 60–70% of sales come through the drive-thru. Every minute of downtime means fewer cars served and customers potentially driving off to a competitor.
Employee Stress and Customer Frustration
When equipment fails, employees are forced to find workarounds, leading to longer lines and more mistakes. Customers who have to repeat themselves or wait too long often won’t return.
How to Prevent It
Proactive Maintenance: Regularly servicing your headsets, timers, and menu boards can prevent small issues from becoming big ones.
Reliable Power: Keep extra batteries and chargers on hand to avoid last-minute outages.
Professional Support: Partnering with an experienced service provider ensures you get fast fixes when you need them most.
Drive-thru downtime doesn’t just cost you sales—it damages your customer relationships. By taking a proactive approach with regular maintenance and having a trusted service partner, you can keep your drive-thru running smoothly and your revenue flowing.
Experiencing issues with your drive-thru system?
