A new 2025 Drive-Thru Study from Intouch Insight just crowned a California-based fast food restaurant as the fastest fast-food brand in America. Meanwhile, Chick-fil-A finds itself dead last.
One restaurant speeds ahead of the competition
According to the report, the Irvine, California-based Taco Bell recorded an average total service time of 4 minutes and 16 seconds, the fastest of all major fast-food chains measured. That means the time between pulling into the lane and driving away with your food is shorter at Taco Bell than anywhere else.
Meanwhile…
Chick-fil-A drops to the bottom
While Taco Bell raced ahead, Chick-fil-A came in last among major fast-food brands, with a total service time of 7 minutes and 6 seconds.
That doesn’t mean Chick-fil-A customers are unhappy. Those long wait times at Chick-fil-A lead to strong accuracy scores and ultimately the highest overall customer satisfaction (tied with Dutch Bros).
The top 5
Here’s how the top five shook out for speed:
- Taco Bell: 4:16
- KFC: 4:21
- Tim Hortons 4:25
- Arby’s 4:32
- Wendy’s 4:53
Why speed matters now more than ever
In an era where drive-thru sales account for around two-thirds of fast-food revenue at many brands, seconds make a difference.
But speed isn’t everything. While Chick-fil-A is one of the leaders at 98% overall satisfaction, Taco Bell is closer to the bottom than the top with an 88% overall score. Factors like accuracy and friendliness play a key role in those scores, according to the study.
Be sure to check out the best meals to order at Chick-fil-A, according to a dietician.
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