RANKED: The fast-food chains with the speediest drive-thrus

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Drive-thru success is key for fast-food chains.

• A new study analyzes the fastest and slowest drive-thru service at 15 major chains.
• The speediest service can be found at Wendy's, Dunkin' Donuts, and Raising Cane's.
• Carl's Jr., Hardee's, and Starbucks lagged behind.

Speed is key to winning in the fast-food industry.

QSR Magazine has released its annual drive-thru performance study, investigating 15 major fast-food and fast-casual chains with the fastest and slowest service in the industry.

Carl's Jr. and Hardee's lagged behind the competition, with the two slowest times: 288 and 270 seconds, respectively. Starbucks also needs to work on its drive-thru speed, with customers waiting an average of 266 seconds, or four minutes and 26 seconds, from when they pull up to order to when they receive their food.

The winners of the list are able to get customers their food in nearly half that time. Here are the seven chains that are speedier than any others in the industry:

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