Fast Food Face-Off; Fastest Drive-Thrus In Utah, Nevada and California
Fast food is called fast food for a reason, right? With fast food menus packed with combos, flavors, and options galore, some places still manage to keep it speedy. For instance, Taco Bell seems to have cracked the code for a quick drive-thru experience, while others… well, let’s just say patience is a virtue.
Every year, Intouch Insight does the legwork, timing drive-thru waits at the big fast-food chains so we know who’s serving it up quickly and who’s lagging. And this year? Taco Bell sits at the top of the drive-thru throne with an average wait time of just 256 seconds from "I’ll have the…" to that first delicious bite.
Here's the rest of the list:
At a leisurely 339 seconds, Carl’s Jr. (or Hardee’s, depending on where you’re at) takes its time. That’s nearly six minutes—perfect for practicing zen in the line.
Next up is the King himself, Burger King, with an average wait of 339 seconds too. Yes, that flame-broiling perfection doesn’t come fast, folks. You could almost finish a podcast episode while waiting for those burgers!
Raising Cane’s is still adjusting to the drive-thru rush, with an average time of 370 seconds. Just six seconds faster than McDonald's, but hey, every second counts when you’re starving!
McDonald's, the classic stop for fries and Big Macs, clocks in at 376 seconds. That’s over six minutes for that first Mac sauce-covered bite—plenty of time to dream about your order before it’s in your hands.
And now, for the grand finale: Chick-Fil-A takes the crown for the slowest drive-thru time, at a whopping 479 seconds! That’s nearly eight minutes. I feel like I rarely wait that long. Yes, you’ll probably drool a little, but Chick-Fil-A fans know it’s worth the wait. (Plus, with those long lines, you’re not alone!)
Pro tip: If you’re craving Chick-Fil-A, maybe join the line before your hunger strikes. That way, when you finally get to the front, you are not ravenous. And yes, Chick-Fil-A is totally worth the wait.