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The Main Course: How A New Drive-Thru Experience Keeps Coffee Customer-Centric

A reimagined drive-thru model prioritizes personal connection and service quality over pure transaction speed

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By Barbara Castiglia · · Clutch CoffeeDrive-thruDrive-thru ExperienceThe Main Course
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A reimagined drive-thru model prioritizes personal connection and service quality over pure transaction speed

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In an age where convenience is king, the drive-thru model has become an integral part of the food and beverage industry. With the rise of on-the-go lifestyles and the need for quick service, drive-thrus have evolved from mere transactional points to hubs of customer interaction. Recent data suggests that over 60% to 70% of all fast-food sales in the U.S. are made at drive-thrus, emphasizing their significance in today’s market. But how can businesses ensure that the drive-thru experience remains personal and customer-centric, rather than just another transaction?

On this episode of The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia delves into the world of drive-thru coffee with Darren Spicer, Co-Founder and CEO of Clutch Coffee Bar. Together, they discuss the nuances of creating a unique drive-thru experience that prioritizes customer connection. Topics covered in this episode include…

– The journey of Clutch Coffee from its West Coast origins to its rapid expansion in the Carolinas.

– The evolution of the drive-thru model and the importance of face-to-face interactions.

– The role of technology in enhancing the drive-thru experience while maintaining a personal touch.

Darren Spicer, a West Coast native with a deep-rooted passion for coffee, began his journey in the industry back in 2004. Over the years, he transitioned from part-time jobs in coffee shops to roles in sports marketing and medical device sales. However, his love for coffee and building relationships pulled him back, leading to the inception of Clutch Coffee Bar. With a customer-centric focus and a unique concept, Darren aims to redefine the drive-thru experience for coffee lovers.

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About the author

BC
Barbara CastigliaExecutive Editor

Barbara Castiglia is a leading authority on restaurant and QSR news, restaurant management, and the intricacies of the food & beverage market. As the Executive Editor of Modern Restaurant Management, she possesses a multifaceted skill set as a Writer/Editor and Content Creator. With a rich background spanning newspaper, magazine, television, and online platforms, Castiglia has showcased her expertise in writing, editing, and design. She is renowned for her creativity, consistently transforming concepts into print, steering content direction, tailoring copy for specific audiences, and crafting and formatting layouts. Beyond her technical skills, Castiglia is an exceptional communicator with a strong grasp of business insights. She is a composed professional known for her effective multitasking abilities. In high-pressure, deadline-driven settings, she not only emphasizes product quality but also ensures results are delivered within stringent budgetary constraints.

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Diners cite inconvenience before price when cutting chain visits, William Blair finds

Diners cite inconvenience before price when cutting chain visits, William Blair finds

In William Blair's 16th quarterly restaurant survey, "inconvenient" was the top reason diners gave for visiting a chain less, ahead of "too expensive." Monthly restaurant interactions fell to 13.6. Takeout ordering moved back to phone and counter, at 40 percent versus 34 percent for apps. Operators may want to test fewer ordering steps.

  • 01Convenience is the top reason diners order takeout or delivery (65 percent), and inconvenience is the top reason they visit a chain less—suggesting the same factor may cut both ways.
  • 02For takeout, phone and in-person ordering (40 percent) now beats restaurant apps and websites (34 percent), and among guests under 60 the split is 36 to 33.
  • 03A useful benchmark for off-premises leaders: surveyed diners average 13.6 restaurant interactions a month, roughly 70 percent of them off the dining room floor.

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Why drive-thru gets first claim on 2027 CapEx

Why drive-thru gets first claim on 2027 CapEx

Telaid’s Jeff Wayman says QSR brands are planning 2027 CapEx with technology in the mix as labor and food costs rise and other operating expenses increase. The National Restaurant Association says 42% of operators were unprofitable in 2025. An Elo and Coresight survey finds only 18% of QSR executives run drive-thru AI/voice ordering at scale.

  • 01The National Restaurant Association counts 42% of operators as unprofitable in 2025, with total restaurant expenses up 36% since 2019.
  • 02Only 18% of QSR executives run drive-thru voice AI at scale, in a September 2026 Elo and Coresight survey of 147 leaders, and Qu finds 9% of AI investors report meaningful impact.
  • 03Telaid's Jeff Wayman says brands are ranking 2027 CapEx and tech stack changes now, judged on comp sales, guest counts and average check.

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Assemblies Unlimited expands into a new Southern Region

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Assemblies Unlimited announced a Southern Region on Oct. 22. It covers Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama and runs from a new sales office in Arlington, Texas. Brands get a local point of contact. AUI's Southern partner facilities currently include locations in Fort Worth, Houston, Paris and Irving, Texas, and Decatur, Alabama, with capabilities ranging from powder filling and stick packs to SQF-certified secondary packaging and POP display assembly.

  • 01The new Southern Region is an expansion of AUI's sales territory, which suggests brands gain a dedicated local team rather than added plant capacity.
  • 02The partner facilities AUI names are in Texas and Alabama, while the territory spans six states, so brands in Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas or Mississippi should ask early which plant would run their job.
  • 03The next useful signal is whether AUI's named Southern partner roster grows beyond Texas and Alabama into the rest of the new territory.

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About the Expert

BC
Barbara Castiglia

Executive Editor

Barbara Castiglia is a leading authority on restaurant and QSR news, restaurant management, and the intricacies of the food & beverage market. As the Executive Editor of Modern Restaurant Management, she possesses a multifaceted skill set as a Writer/Editor and Content Creator. With a rich background spanning newspaper, magazine, television, and online platforms, Castiglia has showcased her expertise in writing, editing, and design. She is renowned for her creativity, consistently transforming concepts into print, steering content direction, tailoring copy for specific audiences, and crafting and formatting layouts. Beyond her technical skills, Castiglia is an exceptional communicator with a strong grasp of business insights. She is a composed professional known for her effective multitasking abilities. In high-pressure, deadline-driven settings, she not only emphasizes product quality but also ensures results are delivered within stringent budgetary constraints.

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