What exactly was that third drive-thru window meant for?

Question

This is boggling my mind. In my area, there are several fast food restaurants (one in particular rhymes with "fondles") that put in a 3rd drive thru window. They either added on or when the built a new building included. The thing is that I have never seen it used. What was it supposed to be for? It was expensive so somebody had a plan. I understand the two where you do the financial transaction and the pick up your food but what was that third window for? They almost always are taped up and has a sign that says "proceed to the next window".

Answer 1

Face-To-Face Ording

Paying

Food Pick-Up

The McDonald's near me tried out that system briefly and then went back to the speaker.

Answer 2

The McDonalds in our town is exactly like the first girl said. The first window they take your order, the second window they take your money, then the third window you get your food.

Answer 3

Maybe the first one was to take your order face to face?  Second one for the money and third for food pickup.

Answer 4

We don't even have a place that rhymes with "fondles"... a 3rd window might be like those greeters at Walmart.  That  might be nice!

Answer 5

You place your order at the automated speaker thing. You pay at the first window. You pick up at the last. If there is one in between, maybe it's to complain that they charged you wrong, but you cannot back up to tell them because you will hit the car behind you.

Answer 6

You know, I've never thought about this before. But its true, the first window is usually closed.

I guess they figure if the ordering machine out there doesn't work they can use the first window to take an order face to face.

Answer 7

THat middle window is meant for very busy times so that you can have either A.) Two people taking orders or B.) One person taking orders and one taking money.