The drive-thru intercom system’s rise to ubiquity in the fast food world has its beginnings in the post-war ‘40s. For much of this evolution, Quality Sound & Water in Hastings, NE, has been there, growing and changing with the technology. They’ve seen the sudden leaps in intercom tech and have maintained prominence in the field as these shifts have occurred.

The first two-way intercom system appeared in 1948 and was used to serve food to customers of the first-ever In-N-Out Burger in Baldwin Park, CA. This signaled the beginning of the end for the drive-in restaurant, as cars could line up to a window rather than wait for carhop service. 

Things moved slowly for fast food intercoms. It took until 1975 for McDonald's to put an intercom system and drive-thru window in one of their restaurants in Sierra Vista, AZ. From there, the practice quickly spread all over the country. Today, McDonald’s restaurants get more than 60% of their daily business through the drive-thru window. 

By the mid-’80s, intercom systems were integral to fast food operations. In 1984, another seismic shift occurred in the form of wireless intercoms. Until HM Electronics developed this technology, the drive-thru server was tied to the window by a short cord. The wireless aspect allowed them to help other workers with orders and move around the prep area. 

By the mid-’90s, wireless headsets were everywhere. There was even a new version that didn’t require a belt pack. Wireless headsets reduced equipment costs and made the operator more comfortable, allowing them to work more quickly and efficiently. Noise reduction technology had experienced a quantum leap as well. That stereotypical unintelligible static of the intercom system was a thing of the past. Stress and workload dropped for employees, and customers got more accurate orders.

The past decade has seen drive-thru lanes incorporate digital readouts with the intercom system to help with order accuracy. In addition, McDonald’s has been experimenting with remote order taking, using the internet to enable customers to place orders from anywhere in the world.

Quality Sound & Water has been there for every development of intercom system technology, and this deep knowledge of the devices allows them to select the best products to serve their customers. With four decades in the business, they have the experience, training, and quality technicians that stand out from their competitors.

Call Quality Sound & Water today at (402) 461-4935 or visit their website to see more of their products and how they can serve you. Follow them on Facebook to see more of what they offer.