# Drive-Thru Acceleration Brands prioritize drive-thrus as physical distancing remains in effect. By [Mishal Omar](https://www.trendhunter.com/MishalO) | Published Apr 20, 2020 | Category: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/business-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/drivethru-acceleration ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.9/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Drive-Thru Acceleration trend? **Drive-Thru Acceleration:** As physical distancing policies and suggestions continue across the globe, brands are prioritizing their drive-thru capacities in order to keep business going in a safe way. Everything from food brands to brands in the cannabis space are taking on these measures, prioritizing both convenience and public health. ## The consumer insight behind the Drive-Thru Acceleration trend At a time when consumers are facing indefinite disruptions to their lives, being able to hold on to aspects of their old lives is crucial for their mental and physical health. Though the changes they're currently facing have forced some flexibility on their end, consumers are looking to retain a sense of normalcy in their habits and outings that they can achieve with the help of businesses. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Mar 24 to Apr 20, 2020 - Published: Apr 20, 2020 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection), [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction) - Megatrends: [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity), [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Drive-Thru Acceleration trend ### Drive-Thru Prioritization Businesses across industries are prioritizing drive-thru services to cater to consumers' need for convenience and safety amidst physical distancing policies and suggestions ### Meal Bundles Meal bundles and family-sized options that cater to immediate consumption and home delivery are becoming increasingly necessary among food businesses to provide easy and safe meal solutions for families sheltering in place ### Drive-Thru Shops Designers and retailers are turning to drive-thru models to provide consumers with necessary items via contactless delivery, such as face masks, to cater to social distancing and supply shortages needs ## What the Drive-Thru Acceleration trend means for industry ### For Food and Beverage Food and beverage businesses are leveraging drive-thru services and meal bundles to maintain business continuity in a safe and convenient way amidst physical distancing policies ### For Retail Retailers are exploring options such as drive-thru shops to continue providing essential items and cater to the need for social distancing ### For Fashion Fashion designers and retailers are repurposing their factories to cater to the demand for essential items such as face masks and are exploring new models such as drive-thru shops to provide contactless delivery ## Workshop question How is your brand accommodating new consumer routines? ## Trend signals for Drive-Thru Acceleration Trend score 5.9 out of 10, from popularity 89%, activity 80%, freshness 9%. - Popularity: 89% - Activity: 80% - Freshness: 9% ## Examples of the Drive-Thru Acceleration trend 4 featured examples from Mar 24 to Apr 20, 2020. - [Drive-Thru Face Mask Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/face-mask-shop): Melanie Wong Designs Bamboo Cotton Face Masks to Help Stop COVID-19 (Category: Business) Implication: Fashion brands can utilize antibacterial fabrics to create everyday clothing that provides added protection for consumers. - [Cannabis Dispensary Drive-Thrus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dispensary-drivethru): Mana Supply Co.'s Drive-Thru Encourages Safe Deliveries (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Cannabis dispensaries can adopt innovative models such as drive-thrus, digital payments, and online ordering and delivery platforms to cater to the needs of medical cannabis patie… - [Drive-Thru Greengrocers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/food-supply): Tokyo's Food Supply Provides Safe Access to Fruits and Vegetables (Category: Business) Implication: Wholesalers can explore new avenues such as direct-to-consumer sales to adapt to changing market conditions. - [Family-Sized Meal Bundles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/panera-family-feast): Panera is Helping Families Quarantine with Its Panera Family Feast (Category: Business) Implication: The foodservice industry has a chance to innovate with meal bundles and contactless delivery options, creating new opportunities for revenue and customer engagement during the pan… ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Conversion](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ai-assisted-checkout) (Business) - [Occasion Commerce](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/occasion-commerce) (Business) - [Autonomous Merchandising](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/autonomous-merchandising) (Business) - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Business - [Performance-Based Creator Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creator-ad-platforms) - [MIami Pop-Culture Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miami-pop-culture-shirts) - [Natural Deodorant Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/target-beauty-studios) - [Mini Beauty Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/little-luxuries-store) All articles: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business)