National Drive-Thru Day Timeline

1975

McDonalds’ restaurants begin opening drive-thrus

A little late to the game, the first McDonald’s drive-thru was in Sierra Vista, Arizona.

1951

Jack-in-the Box opens as the first dedicated drive-thru chain

The original restaurant, in San Diego, was drive-thru only. Jack-in-the Box is also credited with creating National Drive-Thru Day. Yeah!

1948

In-N-Out Burger opens

All you need to know is in the name: In and Out! The chain is the longest running drive-thru restaurant in the US.