Fast-food drive-thrus took over American mornings for these key reasons

Fast-food chains including McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's expanded breakfast menus starting in the 1970s and 1980s, coinciding with increased drive-thru adoption. The convenience factor—ordering food without leaving a vehicle—appealed to commuters and working parents. By the 2000s, breakfast items represented a significant portion of fast-food sales during morning hours, according to industry reports.

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