July 24

National Drive-Thru Day

Make National Drive-Thru Day special - find your favorite fast food joint and treat yourself to a delicious meal without leaving the comfort of your car!

Yearly Date
July 24
Type
Day

Introduction

Celebrate National Drive-Thru Day on July 24 by taking a trip to your favorite drive-thru restaurant! It's the perfect day to indulge in some tasty fast food and enjoy the convenience of having it delivered right to your car. The concept of drive-thru restaurants first emerged in the 1950s, and has since revolutionized how we grab a meal on the go. From burgers and fries, to tacos and burritos, to ice cream sundaes and milkshakes – there are endless possibilities that you can enjoy with a drive-thru experience. So get ready for an exciting journey down memory lane as you celebrate National Drive-Thru Day!

National Drive-Thru Day Timeline

1947
First Drive-Thru Restaurant
Red's Giant Hamburg in Springfield, Missouri, becomes the first known drive-thru restaurant in the United States.
1948
In-N-Out Burger's Innovation
In-N-Out Burger opens its first location in Baldwin Park, California, introducing a unique two-way speaker system for its drive-thru operation.
1951
Jack in the Box Joins In
Jack in the Box opens its first restaurant in San Diego, California, popularizing the drive-thru format for fast food chains across the country.
1961
McDonald's Enters the Scene
McDonald's opens its first drive-thru window in Sierra Vista, Arizona, altering the course of fast food history.
1984
Drive-Thru Banking
Banks begin to introduce drive-thru features at branches in order to offer customers more convenience.
2005
Start of National Drive-Thru Day
Fast food chain Jack in the Box introduces National Drive-Thru Day, to commemorate the invention and proliferation of the drive-thru system.

How to Celebrate National Drive-Thru Day

1

Visit a new drive-thru

It's National Drive-Thru Day, so why not explore your options? Take some time to find a new drive-thru to visit and indulge in the deliciousness of fast food.

2

Have a drive-in movie night

Grab some friends and have a drive-in movie night! Whether you have access to a drive-in theater or just set up your own in the backyard, it's sure to be a fun night of movies and snacks.

3

Try drive-thru karaoke

Drive up your car to the nearest drive-thru karaoke stand and belt out your favorite tunes. Not only will you have fun, but you'll also get to enjoy some snacks from the drive-thru while you sing!

4

Organize a drive-thru scavenger hunt

Put together teams of friends and family and create a scavenger hunt that takes you through different drive thru locations. It'll be an exciting way to celebrate National Drive Thru Day!

5

Make an at home drive thru

Turn your home into a drive thru! Set up your own menu, make up orders for customers, and serve up food from the comfort of your own home. It'll be an unforgettable way to celebrate National Drive Thru Day.

Why We Love National Drive-Thru Day

A

Convenience

The drive-thru is the perfect option for those days when you don't have time to sit down and eat. Getting your food quickly and easily without all the hassle of waiting in line or even getting out of your car is always a plus!

B

Variety

Most restaurants now have drive-thrus, so you're sure to find what you're looking for. Whether it's fast food, pizza, burgers, tacos or something else, you can have almost any type of meal from the comfort of your own car!

C

Cost savings

Drive-thrus tend to be cheaper than sit down restaurants, so you can get more bang for your buck! Plus, since most drive-thrus charge only a small fee or no fee at all for service, you'll be able to stretch your dollars even further.

National Drive-Thru Day Dates

Year
Date
Day
2023
Jul 23
Sunday
2024
Jul 23
Tuesday
2025
Jul 23
Wednesday
2026
Jul 23
Thursday
2027
Jul 23
Friday