Interesting Statistic about El Pollo Loco
Jun 16, 2010 | 3:56 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
Programs: AA, UA, WN, HH, Marriott
Posts: 7,293
Interesting Statistic about El Pollo Loco
A branch of El Pollo Loco in Santa Cruz recently closed, citing the absence of a drive thru window as the cause. Santa Cruz has a general ban on drive thrus but they were hoping to get an exemption or try it without. It didn't work.
The manager stated that 40% of their business typically comes from drive-thrus. There is a McD's in Santa Cruz that doesn't have a drive-thru but they always seem to be busy and have been around for years. So I really wonder how much business these places actually lose without the drive-thru. How many people would decide not to go to a fast food place because of the absence of a drive-thru?
The manager stated that 40% of their business typically comes from drive-thrus. There is a McD's in Santa Cruz that doesn't have a drive-thru but they always seem to be busy and have been around for years. So I really wonder how much business these places actually lose without the drive-thru. How many people would decide not to go to a fast food place because of the absence of a drive-thru?
Jun 16, 2010 | 4:22 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Marriott or Hilton hot tub with a big drink <glub> Beverage: To-Go Bag DYKWIA:SSSS /rolleyes ☈ Date Night:Costco
Programs: Sea Shell Lounge Platinum, TSA Pre✓ Refusnik Diamond, PWP Gold, FT subset of the subset
Posts: 12,523
I know of a McD's that closed when they were not able to get a drive-thru, so I guess that does make a difference. The franchise was denied any modifications to their building by the owner of the shopping center. This was around 20 years ago, and the McD's was probably around 15-20 years old at the time.
Jun 16, 2010 | 9:04 pm
#6
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
It depends on the location. There are some that a huge portion of their business comes from the drive through, and of course ones in shopping malls for example not that much.
When I use to visit McDonalds I always thought it was pretty funny that there was one that would have ten or twelve cars in the drive up window (actually I could come up with a few of them) while there was nobody at all inside. I could park, walk in order, and leave and still be six or seven cars ahead.
In some areas, up to 70% of the sales come from the window, which is why in some of those places they have dual windows, car service to keep the cars moving, etc.
It's a huge part of some of the locations business.
When I use to visit McDonalds I always thought it was pretty funny that there was one that would have ten or twelve cars in the drive up window (actually I could come up with a few of them) while there was nobody at all inside. I could park, walk in order, and leave and still be six or seven cars ahead.
In some areas, up to 70% of the sales come from the window, which is why in some of those places they have dual windows, car service to keep the cars moving, etc.
It's a huge part of some of the locations business.
Jun 17, 2010 | 1:55 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA Silver, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 23,177
There is a McD's near downtown Denver that has a drive-thru. What makes it unique is that there isn't one of those blaring speakers that you take your order from. You drive up to the first cashier window to take your order. It was part of an agreement between the residents in the area (who didn't want to hear a speakerbox all day/night) and McD's to build one at that location.
Jun 17, 2010 | 3:00 pm
#8
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,856
That is an interesting statistic.
Personally, if I have time I prefer to park and go in and order my food to go. I never seem to be close enough to the speaker/window and I like being able to make sure I have enough ketchup/napkins/straw without worrying about the cars behind me.
Personally, if I have time I prefer to park and go in and order my food to go. I never seem to be close enough to the speaker/window and I like being able to make sure I have enough ketchup/napkins/straw without worrying about the cars behind me.
Jun 17, 2010 | 7:22 pm
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 42,580
Sometimes they are just convenient. I patronize drive-thrus on average one or two times a year. Without commenting on the types of places that drive thrus usually are, or whether or not we should be eating that crap, I'd much rather have mom and her screaming kids and the dog in the drive-thru while I go inside and order (even if to-go) than standing in front of me while little Jimmy is picking and flicking, and little Susie vomits on the floor.
Jun 17, 2010 | 10:24 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,939
There was a MickeyD's in our neighborhood that couldn't get approved for a drive through. They ended up moving 1/4 mile down the street to the neighboring city. I can't recall how long they've been in that new location now.... has to be over 15 years.
Jun 18, 2010 | 6:40 pm
#12
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
- car load of kids
- car with baby in a car seat
- rainy days
- people in house coats, no makeup, etc
All valid reasons for people to choose the drive in over getting out and going inside.
Jun 18, 2010 | 9:40 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Vancouver, BC
Programs: UA MM *Gold, Accor Classic
Posts: 1,920
People who have not showered, or perhaps not brushed their teeth or may have an underarm problem.
Jun 19, 2010 | 12:44 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London
Posts: 19,069
Jun 19, 2010 | 6:53 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: on the Llano Estacado
Posts: 2,652
