Pick up your order at the next window

July 24 is the perfect day to visit McDonald’s, or Wendy’s, or Taco Bell, all while staying in your car!

Almost every fast food restaurant offers drive-thru service and they have been very helpful during the pandemic when indoor dining was restricted or forbidden. A drive-thru allows customers to order and pick up their food without leaving their car. On July 24, America recognizes National Drive-Thru Day.

This service has been popular for over 70 years, but the first drive-thru is said to be introduced by Red’s Giant Hamburg in Springfield, Missouri in 1947, according to Onlyinyourstate.com . However, the longest lasting drive-thru is an In-N-Out stand built in 1948. According to In-N-Out’s online site, “Harry Snyder introduces California’s first drive-thru hamburger stand.”

Following In-N-Out, Jack in the Box made their own drive-thru in 1951. Their first store that offered a drive-thru was located in San Diego, as stated by NationalToday. They eventually created a drive-thru chain.

Cup holders in cars were created because drive-thru dining was so popular. In 1983, the cup holder was included inside cars.

National Drive-Thru Day was founded by Jack in the Box in 2002. Some fast food restaurants may offer specials during the holiday.