Applebee’s Drive-Thru Arrives
NRN Weighs in on Applebee’s Testing New Drive-Thru Capability for Restaurants
Excerpt:
A Texas franchisee is evaluating how the addition of a drive-thru pickup window could impact off-premise service for the casual-dining brand — Mark Hamstra | Jan 04, 2021
“We look forward to assessing the performance of this installation, understanding feedback from our guests and operators, as well as any impact to business performance,” said Scott Gladstone, vice president of strategy and development at Applebee’s Grill + Bar. “If positive, we will determine whether pickup windows should be included in our building design packages.”
At Applebee’s, off-premises sales climbed to 60.5% of the chain’s sales mix in the second quarter of 2020, Gladstone said, noting that off-premise sales remained relatively high at 34.6% in the third quarter.
According to The NPD Group, drive-thru restaurant visits increased 26% in the second calendar quarter in 2020, although the increases tapered off as more restaurants reopened for indoor and outdoor dining. The research firm projected that restaurants would continue to expand their drive-thru and other off-premise capabilities in 2021.
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Applebees is owned by California-based Dine Brands Global (owns IHOP too).
