United StatesFood and restaurants2025 – ongoing

Portillo's

Computer-vision dashboard for drive-thru service times

Portillo's computer-vision test cut average drive-thru time by 15 seconds

In progressCompany's own claim

Problem

Portillo's wanted faster drive-thru service. Managers had to watch the lane and judge when to move staff.

Approach

Portillo's tested a computer-vision system that watches the drive-thru and shows managers a live dashboard. The screen flashes red when a car has waited four minutes without being served, so managers can move people to that area. Portillo's did not name the vendor.

Results

15 secondsreduction in average drive-thru time so far, per Portillo'sCompany's own claim[1]

45 secondsfurther reduction targeted, from about six minutes to five (target)Company's own claim[1]

Takeaway

The test was still running in January 2025. The company's goal was a further 45 seconds, taking the average from about six minutes to five.

Sources

Portillo's tests computer vision to boost drive-thru times
Restaurant Dive14 Jan 2025News article

Source summaries

[1]Restaurant Dive14 Jan 2025

Restaurant Dive reported on Portillo's drive-thru test. The system feeds a manager dashboard that flashes red after four minutes without service. The 15-second gain and the 45-second goal come from Portillo's.

Full details are in the original sources.

Added 3 Nov 2026 · Updated 3 Nov 2026