Applebee’s Adds Drive-Thru Windows to Compete with Fast Food | Eater

"Testing the addition of drive-thru-style pick-up windows at an initial group of locations (orders must be placed in advance via website or app) as a pandemic-driven response to a reported 27% jump in takeout and delivery; if the pilot succeeds it could expand to the chain’s entire footprint. The move aims to capture fast-food convenience but clashes with a long-standing sit-down identity: the menu has barely changed in 15 years (items like the Oriental Chicken Salad and Fiesta Lime Chicken remain), preparation has often relied on microwaving, and mains such as the Whisky Bacon Burger use store-bought buns that don’t travel or hold well. Higher price points and dishes not designed for extended holding cast doubt on the concept’s ability to compete with well-optimized quick-service operators, and the shift risks further eroding the distinction between casual dining and fast food." - Amy McCarthy