QSR customers generally want two things – great food and great service. To ensure outstanding customer service in the drive-thru:

1. Provide the best sound quality at the order point. Customers shouldn’t have to strain to hear or understand the order-taker. Investing in a high-definition headset system will provide sound clarity that customers and your staff will love.

1. Make customers feel welcome. That means greeting every customer with a warm, friendly welcome – ideally within five seconds of pulling into the drive-thru lane.

1. Use an order confirmation screen. Great customer service includes getting the order right the first time. An order confirmation screen makes it easier to achieve this important service goal.

1. Use line busters during the busiest dayparts. The faster you take their orders, the more patient customers will be when you prepare their meals. Utilizing a drive-thru timer can help with your speed of service, make sure you maintain your drive-thru timer especially when you're in need of repairs.

1. Staff appropriately. Labor costs are often the highest item on the drive-thru budget, but it doesn’t pay to skimp on staffing. To ensure fast service times, double up on staff during peak hours.

Remember – when given a choice of restaurants that all offer good food, customers will invariably go to a place that offers better service.