Pandemic Drives Ups Demand for Drive-Thrus Burger King is planning three-lane locations. March 05, 2021 ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The pandemic has put limits on foodservice seating capacity and sparked a boom in the demand for drive-thrus, reports the Wall Street Journal. While many foodservice operators took a big hit when COVID-19 occupancy limits closed their dining rooms, chains such as Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s and Checkers & Rally’s are enjoying a sales uptick at stores with drive-thru lanes. Even retailers that have never offered drive-thru options are rolling out lanes. Shake Shack is building its first drive-through this year in Orlando, and as NACS Daily reported, Wawa opened its first drive-thru convenience store in January in Morrisville, Pa.