Drive-Through Service: Then and Now In the 1980s, fast-food drive-throughs were a model of efficiency. Orders were taken quickly, prepared with care, and handed over in minutes, making them a go-to for busy families and commuters. Today, the experience is far different. Long waits at the speaker box, frequent mix-ups with orders, and employees who seem rushed or distracted have turned what should be a quick stop into a frustrating delay.