Dallas Extends Permit for Downtown Drive-Thru

The city has indicated this is the last time it will extend a permit for a drive-thru at a McDonald’s restaurant as it transitions to supporting a denser, more walkable downtown environment.

1 minute read

November 13, 2024, 8:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Close-up of red DriveThru sign at McDonald's fast food restaurant in Chicago, Illinois.

Heorshe / Adobe Stock

The drive-thru window at a downtown Dallas McDonald’s fast food restaurant will stay open an additional two years after the City Plan Commission approved a temporary renewal of the company’s permit. “This decision highlights the broader debate between urban development goals and the practical needs of businesses in a changing downtown environment.”

According to The Dallas Express, critics say the drive-thru is not in line with the city’s goal to make downtown more walkable and dense. The article notes that the restaurant is a popular, affordable option for workers in the area, but city officials say it could continue operating successfully without the drive-thru. “The franchisee is encouraged to adapt and find ways to keep the business viable without the drive-thru, in line with downtown Dallas’ future vision of a more walkable, dense urban area.”

Sunday, November 10, 2024 in The Dallas Express

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