Add Profit to Your Menu with Flavored Hot and Iced Drinks

Drive-thru drink trends have taken center stage for QSR and fast-food restaurants. Franchise drive-thrus like Dunkin’ and McDonald’s have seen remarkable success by diversifying their beverage menus. Dunkin’ has attracted a loyal customer base with its customizable coffee options and seasonal flavors. McDonald’s has also boosted its sales by introducing McCafé, offering a variety of hot and iced drinks. These success stories illustrate the impact of a well-curated drink menu on customer satisfaction and profit margins.

As consumer preferences shift towards a customized experience, offering diverse and innovative drink menu options at your drive-thru can significantly boost profit margins. There are many opportunities to explore, from flavored hot and iced drinks to plant-based and health-conscious add-ins. 

The Coffee Craze: A Profitable Staple

The U.S. coffee market is the largest in the world, generating an impressive $80 billion in annual revenue. It isn’t surprising, given that the average American drinks 1.87 cups of coffee daily. (Boyaksky, 2024)

The convenience of grabbing a freshly brewed cup of coffee from a drive-thru has become an essential part of daily routines for most of us. This trend is fueled by several factors: the need for a quick caffeine fix to jumpstart the day, the comfort of a hot drink, and the growing appreciation for specialty coffee blends and unique flavors.

Drive-thrus perfectly cater to this demand by offering speed and convenience without compromising quality. Franchises like Starbucks and Dunkin’ have capitalized on this craze, providing an extensive range of options, from classic espresso drinks to seasonal specials and cold brews.

Who Drinks Coffee?

Coffee drinkers come from diverse backgrounds, each with reasons for choosing this convenient option. Commuters and busy professionals rely on drive-thrus for a quick caffeine fix during their morning rush or tightly scheduled days. Parents appreciate the ease of picking up coffee without leaving their cars while managing their kids’ activities. 

Young adults are drawn to trendy, customizable beverages and often share their experiences on social media. Health-conscious individuals value the ability to personalize their drinks with plant-based milk and sugar-free syrups, fitting coffee into their active lifestyles. Whether on long road trips or work commutes, drivers frequently stop at drive-thrus for a reliable coffee option to energize them. 

Understanding these varied customer segments helps drive-thru owners tailor their menus and marketing strategies to meet their consumers’ needs better.

Health-Conscious Beverages in the Fast Lane

With an increasing awareness of the impact of dietary choices on overall well-being, consumers are actively seeking beverages that offer both refreshments and health benefits. This trend has led to a surge in demand for beverages that promote hydration, provide essential nutrients, and offer functional benefits such as energy enhancement, immune support, and stress reduction.

As a result, the beverage market has witnessed a proliferation of products ranging from functional waters and herbal teas to plant-based milk and natural juices, all tailored to cater to the growing health-conscious consumer base. This shift reflects a broader cultural shift towards prioritizing holistic wellness and making informed choices about consumption habits.

Plant-Based Add-Ins and Flavors

The rise of plant-based add-ins is a significant trend in the coffee industry. Options such as oat, almond, and soy milk are gaining popularity, catering to lactose-intolerant customers and those following a plant-based lifestyle. Additionally, flavor add-ins like vanilla, caramel, and seasonal favorites such as pumpkin spice enhance the taste and lend a premium feel to beverages, allowing for higher price points.

Healthy Alternatives to Caffeine

While caffeine is a big draw for coffee drinkers, more consumers seek healthier options. Incorporating adaptogens, matcha, and turmeric into your drink offerings can attract health-conscious customers. These alternatives provide energy boosts without the jitters associated with caffeine, appealing to a different yet equally lucrative market.

Expanding Beyond Coffee: Juice Drinks

Adding juice drinks to your drive-thru menu can be highly profitable. With growing awareness of health and wellness, fresh juices and smoothies are becoming popular choices. Offering a variety of fruit and vegetable blends can cater to different taste preferences and dietary needs, broadening your customer base.

The Sonic Success Story: Happy Hour Drinks

Sonic Drive-In has set a benchmark with its Happy Hour drinks, offering a variety of flavored beverages at discounted prices during specific times of the day. This strategy has driven traffic to their locations and fostered customer loyalty. (Jennifer, 2024)

Why It Works

Affordability: Discounted prices attract customers looking for a bargain.

Variety: Offering a wide range of flavors ensures something for everyone.

Timing: Happy Hour taps into off-peak times, driving sales during slower periods.

Offering a variety of non-alcoholic beverages can significantly boost sales by appealing to those seeking refreshing, flavorful, and convenient drink options on the go. The success of Sonic’s Happy Hours, which features discounted non-alcoholic drinks, underscores the profitability of this trend. 

Integrating Technology: Enhancing the Drive-Thru Experience

Technology plays a crucial role in modernizing the drive-thru experience. With the rise of new restaurant tools and mobile apps, customers can place orders ahead, ensuring faster service and reducing wait times. Implementing a user-friendly app for your drive-thru can streamline operations and enhance customer satisfaction.

HME’s Drive-Thru Optimization System (DTOS) is a game-changer, integrating ZOOM, Drive-Thru Leaderboard, and HME CLOUD into one powerful platform. This comprehensive drive-thru management system empowers businesses to identify bottlenecks, analyze store-level performance, and compare multiple stores seamlessly. By leveraging DTOS, restaurants can enhance service speed, boost sales, and drive profitability through data-driven insights and optimization strategies.

Business Sound & Communications knows the dynamic drive-thru market across Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. We are well-equipped to provide innovative and reliable solutions that enhance the drive-thru experience for businesses and customers.  We can sell, install, program and service for new systems and service every system we sell with authentic, brand-authorized replacement parts.

If you’re ready to get started on your new restaurant drive-thru or upgrade an existing one, visit our website or call us at 281-590-3400. We’re ready to help!

Works Cited

Boyaksky, K. (2024). Coffee Shop Industry Trends and statistics in 2024. Retrieved from https://pos.toasttab.com/blog/on-the-line/coffee-shop-industry-trends-and-statistics

Jennifer, S. M. (2024). Sonic Happy Hour 2024 – Menu and Daily Specials. Retrieved from https://sonic-menu.com/sonic-happy-hour/