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QSR Drive-Thru Study: Here’s how quick-service brands like McDonald’s and Taco Bell ranked on accuracyQSR Drive-Thru Study: Here’s how quick-service brands like McDonald’s and Taco Bell ranked on accuracy

Despite COVID challenges, order accuracy was up to 87% in 2020, according to SeeLevel HX annual drive-thru report.

Nancy Luna, Senior editor, Nation's Restaurant News

October 1, 2020

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With quick-service chains becoming more reliant on drive-thru lanes during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has never been more important for fast-food brands to focus on improving accuracy and wait time to stay competitive, according to the 2020 QSR Drive-Thru study.

In its 20th year, the industry report was released Thursday by market research agency and mystery shopping company SeeLevel HX. The firm gave Nation’s Restaurant News an exclusive first look at the study, which ranks 10 quick-service chains in multiple categories including order accuracy, speed, taste and service.

Chains use the report to examine how they perform in each category and where to make improvements. Of note this year, the survey took place in various parts of the country from the end of June through early August during the pandemic, giving operators a unique perspective on how they navigated the crisis.

Despite dealing with numerous COVID-19 challenges, order accuracy was up to 87% after a slight decline in 2019 to 84.4%. That’s important as inaccurate orders, on average, cost $94,232 per store each year, according to the report.

The survey also noted that while digital menu boards help improve with timing, their ability to drive accuracy improvements is more ambiguous.

Related:The 2020 SeeLevel QSR Drive-Thru study: Here’s how 10 major quick-service restaurant brands ranked in categories from speed of service to accuracy

Which brand ranked No. 1 on accuracy?

Look at our gallery to see how the 10 chains ranked.

Join SeeLevel CEO Lisa van Kesteren and Nation's Restaurant News Associate Editor Joanna Fantozzi at Restaurants Rise powered by MUFSO on Thursday, Oct. 8, as they delve into the latest data and insights in fast-food drive-thru performance and COVID-19.

Contact Nancy Luna at [email protected]

Follow her on Twitter: @fastfoodmaven

About the Author

Nancy Luna

Senior editor, Nation's Restaurant News

Nancy Luna is a senior editor at Nation's Restaurant News and a contributing editor at Supermarket News. She covers the industry's largest and most talked about fast-food brands including McDonald's, Starbucks, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC and Subway. She is an award-winning journalist with more than 25 years reporting experience. As a veteran business reporter based in Southern California, Nancy has covered some of the country's most beloved food and retail brands including In-N-Out, Taco Bell, Trader Joe's, Aldi, Whole Foods Market, Target and Costco. Luna is a graduate of Cal State Fullerton. When she's not digging for news on her beat, you can find Nancy regaling her fans about her latest dining adventures on her Fast Food Maven social media channels. Contact [email protected]  or follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/fastfoodmaven

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