A fast-casual burger chain is connecting its drive-thru experience to online and mobile ordering.
Smashburger has opened its first “virtual drive-thru” concept at its new corporate-owned restaurant in Houston. The format allows customers to place an order online or through the Smashburger app, then pull through the designated parking lane where their food will be delivered to the driver by a store associate.
First announced in 2022, the virtual drive-thru prototype utilizes the Curbit digital ordering system, which provides customers an exact wait time for their order and the ability to track the order accurately from start to finish. With the wait time reduction provided by this new concept, Smashburger reports the experience has driven a 30% lift in customer repeat rate.
Source: Chain Storeage
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