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1. I do like to bring up emerging stories that are related to forecasting and demand. The story of Wendy’s To Open 700 Delivery-Only Location in the Next Five Years is of the former (PYMNTS, 2021). You may recognize the Fast Food Giant as being in the current news. The impact of COVID and the need for change to the overall food service industry is a major reason why a major change is inevitable. Demand for a new type of service that better aligns to situations, like COVID, where no-contact with others is required and or acceptable. No doubt that the food service industry took a massive nose dive during the pandemic. The response was to create a more efficient drive-thru to meet the demands of consumers who were willing to venture out to eat their favorite fast food, yet stay safe. However, drive-thru times have increased by almost 30 seconds or more (Schnitzer, 2020), despite the demand. “The extra wait time has cost brands around $64 million in lost revenue,” (Schnitzer, 2020) so there is a sense of urgency to address how best to execute drive-thru times by investing in technology, training, new prototypes, and real estate. Operators turn to innovative prototypes with more drive-thrus, upgrades to the existing ones, and more flexible locations. By having more innovative restaurants, with more takeout options like curbside, mobile ordering, and drive-thru, the likes that we have never seen, will help evolve food service to meet forecasts and demands (Maze, 2021).
What experience have you had that demonstrates fast food drive-thru procedures to increase drive-thru times? What other suggestions might you share with the manager of this location?