Meals on Wheels - Celebrating Drive-Thru History
http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2012/07/24/meals-on-wheels-celebrating-drive-thru-history/
With more than 211,000 drive-thru restaurants in America, the fast-food window is about as
American as apple pie (which, by the way, you can order at your local McDonald’s). It’s so
common, in fact, that America honors its deep-fried, heavily salted craving once a year on July
24, otherwise known as National Drive-Thru Day.
The U.S. Census explained on its website that fast-food giant Jack-in-the-Box founded the first
drive-thru joint in San Diego back in 1951, but some food historians disagree about the origin of
the quick-service window meal.
According to Michael Karl Witzel, author of The American Drive-In, the first drive-thru came
from an entirely different idea by two Texan men named Jessie G. Kirby, a candy and tobacco
retailer, and Rueben Jackson, a physician.
In the midst of the roaring '20s, Kirby approached Jackson about opening a new type of eatery namely, one where patrons drive up and employees serve them in their cars. Before Jackson
would agree, though, Kirby had to convince him.
“People in their cars are so lazy that they don’t want to get out of them to eat,” Kirby reportedly
told Jackson. And so The Texas Pig Stand was born, eventually evolving from carhops at driveins into intercoms at drive-thrus.
As drive-thru restaurants gained more popularity in a nation that was quickly becoming busier
and faster, other chains ran with the idea while still putting their own spin on it. According to
Witzel, the Sonic burger chain got its name after it combined the best of both drive-ins (the
quality of a smiling carhop) and drive-thrus (the quickness of an intercom system).
“They claimed it was so fast that they came up with the name ‘Sonic’ [because] it was served
basically at the speed of sound,” said Witzel.
Nearly 90 years later, history has shown that not much has changed since Kirby recognized
America’s fondness for eating in cars. With more than $151 billion in sales each year according
to the U.S. Census, the fast food industry is thriving, especially with the help of new technology.
In addition to making the process quicker and simpler with LED panels that display the order and
payment owed, Witzel believes ordering and paying with smart phones will soon be a regular
occurrence at the drive-thru window.
Despite the industry’s financial success, many critics condemn the high fat and sodium content
that typically drench drive-thru food, which some healthcare professionals say can lead to
diabetes and obesity. Witzel says it’s all fine in moderation, though.
“You shouldn’t be eating it every night, but there’s nothing wrong with having a good burger
every once in a while,” said Witzel, himself partial to the sourdough burgers at Wichita-based
Spangles. He also expressed his frustration with cities like New York, which is attempting to ban
large, sugary sodas over 16 ounces.
“What’s next? Pretty soon, everything will be regulated and all we can eat is tofu and salads.
[And] that’s not gonna be any fun,” he added.
Part A: Multiple Choice
Directions: Now that you have read the article, click the link below and watch the video History
of the Fast Food Drive-Thru and answer the questions that follow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIF9AxnMjoo
1) According to the video, which fast food chain was the first to include a drive-thru
window?
a. Taco Bell
b. Wendy’s
c. Burger King
d. Sonic
______ (type your answer here)
2) What was the name of the restaurant that actually created the first drive-thru window?
a. Howard’s Seafood
b. McDonald’s
c. Texas Pig Stand
d. None of the above
______ (type your answer here)
3) McDonald’s originally resisted the idea of a drive-thru window. The first drive-thru at
McDonald’s was created to…
a. keep up with the high demand the restaurant was receiving.
b. gain higher profits with increased sales.
c. serve the military, since soldiers could not wear their uniforms in the restaurant.
d. to make getting food easier for parents with young children.
______ (type your answer here)
4) For early drive-thru windows, what does the video mention as being the most difficult
item to move?
a. Desserts, like pies, cake, or ice cream.
b. Information, such as how the driver makes and order and how the staff receives it.
c. Money, as in how the staff receives it and makes change for the customer.
d. Loose foods and drinks, such as salads or sodas.
______ (type your answer here)
Part B: Open-ended Response
Directions: Read the following question and write a well thought out response using the article
and video for support. Use the space below to write your response.
 The article mentions there is some disagreement as to who actually invented the
drive-thru at restaurants. This notwithstanding, use the article and video to give a
detailed description of the development of drive-thru window service. What were
some of the reasons for its development and how has it changed over time?