# Order-Ahead Drive-Thrus Chipotle's Newest Drive-Thru Systems Don't Take Food Orders By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2018-05-29 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drivethru-systems References: [uk.businessinsider](http://uk.businessinsider.com/chipotle-adds-drive-thrus-2018-5) & [chipotle](https://www.chipotle.com/) Many fast food chains are reinventing [drive-thru systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-drive-thru-20) by putting their efforts into updated mobile apps and smart signage, but [Chipotle](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chipotle-3) is taking a different approach with five of its locations across the United States. Chipotle has added drive-thru windows to some of its new locations, but drivers will not be able to pull their vehicle up to a speaker and place an order. Instead, Chipotle is asking consumers to place their order ahead via the Chipotle mobile app and use the drive-thru system as a dedicated [mobile order pickup lane](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/restaurant-ordering-system). Since the drive-thrus will only be accepting orders ahead of time, this has the potential to reduce long lines and wait times with quick service. Image Credit: [Monique R. / Yelp](https://www.yelp.com/biz/chipotle-mexican-grill-san-antonio-19) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.9/10 - Popularity: 38% | Activity: 71% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Order-ahead Drive-thrus:** Restaurants are reinventing drive-thru systems by implementing order-ahead systems through mobile apps. - **Smart Menu Signage:** Quick-service restaurants are updating their menu signage with smart technology to streamline the ordering process. - **Mobile Order Pick-up:** Fast food chains are implementing dedicated drive-thru lanes for mobile order pick-up to reduce wait times and improve customer experience. ### Where This Applies - **QSR (quick Service Restaurants):** QSRs can implement mobile apps and drive-thru systems for order-ahead and mobile order pick-up to reduce wait times and improve customer experience. - **Fast Casual:** Fast casual restaurants can implement similar mobile app and drive-thru technology to improve customer experience and streamline operations. - **Technology Solutions Providers:** Companies that offer technology solutions and services can cater to the growing demand for smart menu signage, drive-thru mobile app development, and mobile ordering systems. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Mobile Drive-Thru Lanes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chick-fil-a-2.md) - [Virtual QSR Drive-Thrus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smashburger-1.md) - [Digital-Only Drive-Through Lanes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-in-forth-worth.md) - [Automated Drive-Thru Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flythrudrivethru.md) - [Virtual Restaurant Drive-Thrus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-drivethru.md) - [Drive-Thru Conveyor Belts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-drive-thru.md) - [Location-Based QSR Technology](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chipotle-3.md) - [Tech-Driven Drive Thrus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/techdriven-drivethru.md) - [Mobile-Order-Only Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chick-fil-a-mobile-ordering.md)