Whereas the drive-in holds a traditional place in American historical past, it is a idea that has lengthy been in decline.
That is largely as a result of anybody who has had the drive-in expertise (one thing I’ve tried on many events) is aware of that it affords some challenges. The concept of somebody bringing meals proper to your automotive might sound enjoyable, nevertheless it means consuming in your automotive, which presents its personal set of difficulties.
Vehicles have drink holders, however they do not have trays, tables, or any logical place to eat. That results in messes and explains why individuals who have the choice typically do not eat of their automotive except they’re on the transfer.
That is not a whole killer for the class, nevertheless it has contributed to why nationwide chains like Sonic Drive-In, and now, a regional favourite, Hello-Pointe Drive-In, have closed a big variety of areas.
Drive-ins are an American custom
Drive-ins had their heyday within the Fifties.
“Eventually, however, drive-in restaurants went into decline, replaced by the introduction of the drive-through, which negated the need for hiring carhops and saved on money and time,” in response to Smithsonian Journal.
Having eaten about 15 years in the past at a well-known Connecticut drive-in, I am not wanting to repeat the expertise as, whereas the meals was good, consuming in my automotive was a multitude.
That doesn’t imply they’ve all disappeared, however one remaining drive-in chain, the legendary Hello-Pointe Drive-In, has determined to shut a 3rd of its eating places.
Drive-ins have turn into much less common.
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Hello-Pointe Drive-In chain getting smaller
Hello-Pointe Drive-In has a deep historical past.
“The Hi-Pointe has been an iconic St. Louis destination ever since this spot was a little drive-in in the 1980’s. Our mission is to bring it back to life with mouthwatering burgers and original sandwiches. Our chef-inspired menu uses locally sourced ingredients,” the corporate shared on its web site.
The chain has determined to cut back its operations.
“One of the most recognizable burger spots in the St. Louis area, Hi-Pointe Drive-In, is officially scaling back. The restaurant announced it will be closing three of its locations as part of a business decision meant to strengthen the brand’s overall quality and consistency,” The New Actual STL Information reported.
The chain will nonetheless function six areas.
It defined the shutdowns on its Fb web page.
“Sometimes growing means taking a step back,” the corporate posted.
It was not a alternative made calmly.
“This was the hardest decision we’ve made to date, but a necessary one so we can show up better for our people and our guests. That means getting back to the basics, being consistent, and putting more care into every burger that hits the grill,” it added.
Extra Eating places
- Taco Bell and KFC work on simplifying their eating places
- Chick-fil-A making main change to 425 eating places nationwide
- Bankrupt beer and pizza restaurant chain closes areas
- Restaurant chain famed for impolite waiters closes a number of areas
Regardless of the closures, the model reassured clients that reward playing cards, loyalty rewards, and promos will nonetheless be accepted in any respect remaining areas, which embrace three in St. Louis and one every in Kirkwood, Cottleville, and Chesterfield.
The closed eating places not seem on Hello-Pointe’s areas web page.
Hello-Pointe Drive-In shouldn’t be alone
The decline of Hello-Pointe Drive-In displays a wider pattern. Throughout the U.S., many regional and nationwide drive-in and drive-thru eating places are scaling again or closing areas, as altering shopper habits and operational pressures reshape the panorama of car-oriented eating.
“During the pandemic, drive-thru was the go-to option by necessity,” Richard Delvallée, senior vp of consulting providers at RMS, shared in Income Administration’s report. “But in 2025, customers have more choices and they’re using them, from dine-in and takeout to off-premises dining via delivery.”
- In 2025, a number of Sonic Drive‑In areas have completely shut down throughout the nation, together with closures of web sites in Lockport, Illinois, that closed earlier than the beginning of the yr and different drive‑ins in Colorado Springs, underscoring that even massive nationwide drive‑in eating places are retracting bodily areas somewhat than increasing, Shaw Native reported.
- Sonic Drive‑Ins: Sonic skilled internet closures of round 60 shops in 2024 as a part of strategic pruning of underperforming items, a pattern the place the model is not aggressively increasing however optimizing its footprint, in response to Sonic’s press launch archive.
- Amy’s Drive Via: The vegetarian drive‑through/drive‑in idea is exiting its final Bay Space location after closing a number of of its authentic eating places, marking the top of the chain’s preliminary growth experiment, reported TheStreet.
- Salad and Go (drive‑through idea): The chain is closing 41 areas in Texas and Oklahoma as a part of a strategic pullback, in response to TheStreet’s Kirk O’Neil.
- Scorching ’n Now: As soon as greater than 150 areas, this drive‑oriented quick meals chain now operates solely two U.S. areas, in response to the corporate’s Fb web page.
Collectively, these closures and scale-backs spotlight a nationwide shift in restaurant dynamics, the place shopper desire for comfort, off-premises eating, and supply is reshaping the panorama that after made drive-ins and drive-thrus a cornerstone of American eating.
Individuals have extra eating selections
Whether or not it is a drive-in or a drive-thru, site visitors has really been falling, in response to Income Administration’s 2025 QSR Drive-Via Traits: Why Visitors Is Falling & How Eating places Can Win It Again report.
“Drive-thrus have long been a cornerstone of quick-service restaurants (QSRs). While the drive-thru still commands the majority of QSR sales, changing consumer expectations and behaviors are driving new drive-thru trends. Once the star of pandemic dining, the drive-thru is facing a steady traffic decline,” in response to the report.
- Regardless of new lanes, upgraded tech, and quicker service occasions, Income Administration Options (RMS) drive-thru information exhibits drive-thru visits are down 5%-8% yr over yr in 2025.
- The share of complete QSR orders coming by way of the drive-thru has decreased from 83% in 2020 to 65% this yr.
- Takeout is rising quick. Visitors is up +15.5% YOY (versus +9.5% in 2024), signaling a shopper desire for flexibility and app-enabled comfort.
- Supply elevated in reputation through the pandemic. Whereas progress slowed barely, supply stays robust, up +13.5% YoY in comparison with 18.0% in 2024.
- Dine-in is regaining reputation. The fast progress in 2024 (+6.3% YoY) slowed in 2025 (+1.2% YoY), but extra customers are selecting to eat inside, in response to Restaurant Enterprise, citing higher order accuracy, quicker service, and better perceived worth than drive-thru.
- Drive-thru is shedding out. Declines have eased, from -11.9% YoY in 2024 to -5.8% YoY in 2025, however RMS’ latest shopper analysis discovered that one in three customers plan to cut back their drive-thru visits.
There may be, nevertheless, nonetheless alternative for drive-in and drive-thru operations, given how eating traits have modified.
“Nearly 75% of all restaurant traffic now happens off-premises — meaning that almost 3 out of 4 restaurant orders are taken to go, according to data from the National Restaurant Association’s 2025 Off-Premises Restaurant Trends report.
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