We have a meeting each month where we take a break from our work and practice brainstorming about ways to improve everyday items. We thought an appropriate name for this meeting was "Build a better mousetrap," but as it invariably happens to long titles, we shortened it to "Mousetrap."

This Month's Challenging Topic: Build a Better Drive Thru

Tribester Responses

I was pretty much thinking exactly what Andy was as far as having a bluetooth connection to improve the communication quality when you place and review an order. So running with that idea and maybe trying to improve on it a bit what if car's navigation and/or control system touch screen had an open standard protocol that allowed company's with a drive through to build quick ordering applications.

This way you can use your touch screen in your car to place an exact and detailed order when you got in line at the drive thru. An added bonus would be you could also use your stored debit or credit card number in your touch screen to make an immediate electronic payment.

All that be said you probably should not be eating ant food that comes out of drive thru window anyway.
-- Tony Passero

I pretty much echo what others have said here regarding the Bluetooth enabled connectivity. I guess that's what I get for submitting my ideas last. To expand even further on those suggestions perhaps being able to save your previous orders to make the experience even more convenient and expedited. Your in-car navigation ahs the ability to save previous destinations so why not your double cheeseburger value meal?
-- Joe Kaput

Horrible drive thru experiences always seem to start with placing your order. All too often you interact with your 'server' via a poor quality speaker / microphone combination. They can't understand you, you can't understand them, it'll be a miracle if you get your triple bacon cheeseburger instead of a McRib with extra pickles. With the prevalence of bluetooth enabled car stereos and the legal requirements of hands-free telecommunication while driving, there must be a way to take and place orders via your car stereo or wireless earpiece. This may not change the quality of the overall drive thru experience, but at least you're starting out on the right foot.
-- Andy Owens

Bring back the roller skates and add-on a car wash. I want service with a smile, delivered with an effortless glide, while my fenders and grill are buffed and waxed.
-- Mike Chorvat

I have to admit that I am not a huge drive thru fan and probably haven't been to one since my college days. With that said, at 5'3" I do remember having a hard time leaning out the window to both pay and get my food while keeping my foot on the brake. I think the drive thru should install the transaction drawers bank tellers use that push out an extra section putting the objects closer to your window. I know this would have reduced the number of dropped drinks, burgers, and quarters back in my heyday.
-- Carrie Pendergast