Chick-fil-A Opens First Elevated Drive-Thru Restaurant That Delivers Food Using Conveyor Belts

Chick-fil-A is testing a new way to get food to customers.

On August 22, the fast food chain opened an innovative restaurant, the latest in a series of new restaurant concepts the brand has been testing this year.

The new two-story restaurant, located at 2155 Jodeco Road in McDonough, Georgia, won’t be using its space for dine-in service. Instead, the drive-thru-only restaurant houses a kitchen that’s twice the size of those typically found in Chick-fil-A locations to accommodate four drive-thru lanes, according to a press release. Even better? The number of lanes can accommodate three times as many vehicles as a standard Chick-fil-A restaurant.

Two of the drive-thru lanes are designated for picking up online orders that have been placed in advance, and the other two are for customers who want to place orders with Chick-fil-A associates.

The concept uses conveyor belts to move food from the kitchen to workers, who then bring meals to customers. According to a press release, the system can move food from the upstairs kitchen to workers every six seconds.

While this concept may only be being tried in one place, Chick-fil-A restaurants across the country are reintroducing some fun menu items.

The popular banana pudding milkshake will be available nationwide from August 26 after a 13-year hiatus.

This frozen treat is made with real banana vanilla ice cream and vanilla wafers, and topped with whipped cream and a cherry.

Banana flavor is coming to more items than just the shake. Chick-fil-A is also rolling out a new banana frosted coffee that combines the same elements of the milkshake (ice cream, banana, and waffle cookies) with cold brew coffee.

The chain’s fan-favorite honey pepper pimento chicken sandwich is also back — but with a twist. Now available with original chicken or spicy chicken, it’s topped with honey, pimento cheese, and pickled jalapeños and served on a toasted bun.