Coffee at a drive-thru – what could be more convenient? It’s a model that’s taking off, even attracting the major chain BWS to start serving hot coffee for its Devonport, Tasmania customers.

The Double Shot concept has launched in the four-lane drive-thru at Gateway Drive.

BWS managing director Scott Davidson told Inside Retail, “We think coffee is a good opportunity, and we know there’s growth in that segment. We’ve got plenty of space [across 235 drive-thru stores] to utilise, and this concept really came about by looking at our business strategically and recognising what opportunities there are.

“Many retailers are focusing on closing stores to shrink their labour, but what we want to do is maximise the value of our asset, and maximise the use of our licences.”

The drive-thru model is big on convenience

Davidson said speed and convenience is “a huge trend”.

The business joins other retailers seeing the potential in hyper-convenience, and Aussies’ love of a good coffee.

In this segment major fast food brands are adding coffee into the drive-thru mix.  For instance, McDonald’s has McCafe and mid last year Hungry Jacks’ launched a new concept, Jack’s Cafe.

This has been rolling out across 410 stores. It’s a move to take a bigger bite of the Cafes and Coffee Shops industry currently worth $10.7 billion. 

Gloria Jean’s opened its first drive-thru location a decade ago, while The Coffee Club, also includes the drive-thru model in its franchise offer.

Specialist coffee chains

Zarraffa’s is a Queensland-based specialist coffee chain which has more than 50 drive-thru outlets in its network.

Across the country in Western Australia, the Muzz-Buzz business began its drive-thru-only model back in 2001. Now there are more than 35 outlets in the Perth area.

Check out other coffee franchises here.