As fast-food chains focus on innovation and efficiency, many are introducing new restaurant prototypes to streamline operations and enhance the customer experience. McDonald's is leading the charge with its latest concept.

The fast-food giant recently launched an "On the Go" restaurant in Los Angeles, tailored specifically for drive-thru and digital orders, according to Restaurant Business. The news was shared last week by X user McFranchisee and a construction company collaborating with McDonald’s.

The "On the Go" location is a groundbreaking prototype that sets itself apart from traditional McDonald’s restaurants. Smaller in size and without a traditional lobby, this innovative design includes a standout feature increasingly popular in the restaurant industry: dedicated food lockers for delivery orders.

McDonald’s has introduced food lockers in international markets, but their inclusion in the Los Angeles "On the Go" location marks a first for the chain in the U.S. This innovative restaurant also features separate windows for mobile orders, emphasizing its focus on efficiency and convenience.

The debut of this prototype comes two years after McDonald’s launched a digital-focused location near Fort Worth, Texas, in 2022. According to Restaurant Business, these new designs could significantly influence McDonald’s efforts to expand across the U.S. By prioritizing drive-thru and digital orders, the chain can explore markets where traditional real estate is harder to secure, especially since most fast-food sales now come from drive-thru, mobile, or delivery channels, reducing the need for dining rooms.

McDonald’s isn’t alone in testing drive-thru-only concepts. Chick-fil-A recently unveiled a two-story prototype with four drive-thru lanes and no dining room. This innovative restaurant features a conveyor belt system that delivers meals from an elevated kitchen to team members below in as little as six seconds. Similarly, Burger King and Taco Bell are also experimenting with drive-thru-only locations, reflecting an industry-wide shift toward faster, more streamlined operations.

Beyond expanding its restaurant footprint, McDonald’s has been making waves with its menu updates. Earlier this month, the McRib made a return, delighting fans. Looking ahead to 2025, the beloved Snack Wraps will make a comeback, as confirmed by Joe Erlinger, President of McDonald’s USA. While Erlinger hasn’t provided an exact date for their return, he noted the timing is strategic for competitive reasons.

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