# Five-Course Drive-Thru Restaurants Atelier Restaurant Embraces the Drive-Thru Business Model By Kalin Ned | Published 2020-09-25 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drivethru-business-model References: [atlasobscura](https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-did-fancy-restaurants-do-during-covid) & [atelierrestaurant](http://www.atelierrestaurant.ca/) The drive-thru business model has offered many restaurants solace during the COVID-19 pandemic. As consumers weren't able to engage in the dining outside ritual for a given period of time, and some still don't feel comfortable to do so, many companies switched to drive-thrus—a model that carries some nostalgic sensibilities with it. Now, the drive-thru business model is permeating the [fine dining ritual](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/conceptual-fine-dining). The [Atelier](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tea-atelier) restaurant in Ottawa, Canada is a great example. The brand offered a high-end molecular gastronomy experience, thriving on Chef Marc Lepine's signature [12-course blind tasting menu](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/saratoga-supper-club-2025). In light of COVID-19, Atelier compressed its 12-course offerings into five. It sold limited tickets for $100 per person, appealing to exclusivity, and only 10 vehicles per service on weekends only. Since its launch, Atelier has "sold out every dinner." Image Credit: Justin Tse, Bronwyn Lambert ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.3/10 - Popularity: 53% | Activity: 68% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [New Ventures](https://www.trendhunter.com/newventures) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Drive-thru Fine Dining:** The trend of drive-thru extends to the fine dining experience, allowing high-end restaurants to offer exclusive and convenient dining options. - **Compressed Menu Offerings:** Restaurants are adapting their menus by offering compressed versions of their usual offerings, providing a curated dining experience while maintaining efficiency. - **Limited Ticket Sales:** The limited ticket sales model creates a sense of exclusivity, driving demand and creating a unique opportunity for high-end restaurants to attract customers. ### Who This Affects Most - **Hospitality:** The hospitality industry can explore the disruptive innovation opportunity of implementing drive-thru services in high-end restaurants to offer a unique dining experience. - **Fine Dining:** Fine dining establishments can leverage the trend of compressed menu offerings to streamline their operations while still offering a curated culinary experience. - **Event Planning:** Event planning companies can capitalize on the limited ticket sales model by organizing exclusive dining experiences in collaboration with high-end restaurants. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Digital-Only Drive-Through Lanes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-in-forth-worth.md) - [Virtual Restaurant Drive-Thrus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-drivethru.md) - [Fine Dining Meal Deliveries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/entre-meal-kit-delivery-service.md) - [Automotive Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/backseat-bites.md) - [Virtual QSR Drive-Thrus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smashburger-1.md) - [Salad-Based Restaurant Drive-Thrus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/just-salad-1.md) - [Modular Drive-Thru Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-drive-thru-20.md) - [Drive-Thru Conveyor Belts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-drive-thru.md) - [Limited-Time Car-Dining Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/escalade-iq.md)