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A quick-service restaurant (QSR) is a restaurant that serves a limited menu of inexpensive meals for those who are more interested in fast service than in sitting down and having a meal. Most QSR restaurants are considered fast-food such as Wendy’s or fast-casual such as Panera Bread, and also include coffee chains such as Starbucks and Dunkin’.
According to Civic Science data, 24% of consumers currently visit QSR restaurants at least once a week. Ongoing data tracking shows that QSR patronage has seen significant shifts from pre- to post-pandemic. Here are a few ‘quick’ QSR trends to know:
Who Eats at QSRs?
Patronage of quick-service restaurants reached a low point during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, 49% of people were eating at a QSR restaurant at least a few times a month, but that rose to 56% today, nearly the same level as in 2017. CivicScience findings reveal that since the COVID-19 pandemic, the percentage of U.S. adults who ‘never’ eat at QSRs has fallen but remains slightly higher than during the years leading up to the pandemic.
Join the Conversation: How often do you eat fast food?
When Do People Visit QSRs?
CivicScience data show most QSR consumers (87%) consistently order between the hours of 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. However, the most frequent QSR customers (who eat at QSRs weekly) are more likely than other customers to order in the evening, between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Interestingly, men are more likely than women to order from QSR restaurants during regular breakfast hours, between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Drive-Thru, Takeout, or Delivery?
The drive-thru is the most popular way to order from fast-food QSRs. According to CivicScience poll responses, 46% chose to grab fast food through the drive-thru route, with 29% ordering in the store, and 18% ordering through an app/website and then fetching their food. However, preference for the drive-thru has fallen 16% since this time last year, while customers are increasingly likely to say they prefer to order in-store.
The least preferred way to order from fast-food restaurants is through food delivery apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash, with only 7% finding this their preferred choice. This could be because these apps include the extra costs of delivery fees and more expensive meals.
When looking at customers of five prominent fast-food restaurants (Taco Bell, McDonald’s, Dunkin’, Wendy’s, Burger King, and In-N-Out), most prefer ordering from QSRs from the drive-thru. However, unique differences exist:
- Wendy’s customers are the most likely to choose the drive-thru.
- Dunkin’ and McDonald’s customers are the most likely to use apps for pickup and delivery.
- Burger King and In-N-Out Burger customers are the most likely to prefer in-store ordering.
Take Our Poll: If you want to order from a fast-food restaurant (and you’re not in a hurry), how do you typically like to order? 🍔
Evidently, QSR restaurants aren’t going anywhere, and many people rely on them – and the drive-thru – for inexpensive meals. Although QSRs have bounced back since the pandemic, consumers have become more price sensitive in recent months and many welcome the new value meal offers that several major chains are now promoting.
