Rules. The world needs damn rules, and the sooner the better. You know, when the world is too lax and needs to be tightened up a bit. Except, of course, when the world needs to lighten up and not be so anal about everything. How do you know the difference? It can be tricky, I’ll admit, but The Grump is here to guide you, never fear.
There are three rules that need to be enacted for proper drive-thru etiquette and an efficient drive-thru experience. Those rules are…
- No more than two meals per vehicle. That’s right, don’t think you can carry the little league team in your SUV-cum-station wagon behemoth vehicle and order custom meals for ten kids. Two meals, that’s it. If you want more, park and go in.
- No substitutions. No customization, either. You get it pre-assembled. As is. You don’t want lettuce? Tough, you’re getting lettuce. Does it come with bacon as a standard item? No? Tough, no bacon for you.
- Credit cards only. No fumbling with cash, and certainly no digging for change. Not necessary when using plastic only.
Your experience… especially if you’re the vehicle(s) in front of me, should be pull-up -> bark your order number -> pull-up to the window… no need for two windows now… pay your money, grab your bags, and go! Easy peasy.
I guess there’s a #4, also: Know what you want before you pull up to the menu board and speaker. Don’t sit there looking at the menu of items you’ve seen for the past 20 years trying to decide. If you don’t know what you want, a large arm comes out and pushes your car aside and allows the next car to order. Back to the line for you!
With these simple rules your drive-thru experience will be much more pleasurable and stress-free. 🙂