These Fast Food Chains Have the Fastest—and Slowest—Drive-Thrus in 2025

In a rush during your lunch break? A new survey from Sudoku Bliss reveals which fast food chains can get you back on the road the fastest—and which might keep you waiting.

The study polled frequent drive-thru customers in 40 states, asking which restaurants offered speedy service and which ones left diners frustrated by long delays. While the results are based on consumer sentiment, they offer a helpful snapshot of drive-thru performance nationwide.

Slowest Drive-Thrus: Wingstop Takes the Bottom Spot

Wingstop received the lowest marks in the 2025 survey, with 57% of regular customers calling its drive-thru “very slow.” Other chains that disappointed frequent diners included:

  • Culver’s – 53% said service was too slow

  • Church’s Chicken – 52% were not impressed with wait times

States like California, Connecticut, and New Mexico reported the longest average wait times.

To improve accuracy, researchers focused on frequent drive-thru users, calculating results by dividing the number of complaints by the number of visits.

Fastest Drive-Thrus: Chick-fil-A Leads the Pack

On the opposite end, Chick-fil-A ranked highest for quick service, with 61% of respondents praising its speed. Though a previous 2022 report by QSR Magazine found that Chick-fil-A had long overall lines, it also noted that speed per vehicle and order accuracy were exceptionally strong—likely boosting customer perception.

Other top performers:

  • McDonald’s – 51% of customers happy with drive-thru speed

  • Krispy Kreme – Known for quick coffee and doughnuts, came in third

Why Perception Still Matters

While the survey didn’t time exact service durations, it highlights how important customer experience and friendly interactions are to shaping perceptions. Diners are more likely to forgive a wait if they leave with a smile and the right order.

So next time you’re racing the clock, consider heading to one of the top-ranked chains—and maybe skip the Wingstop line until things improve.