A picture of a commercial property with a set of drive-thru lanes under a roof.
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Commercial properties with a drive-thru lane are commanding higher rents. The pandemic has led to a new appreciation for being able to stay in your car while you’re served.

Properties with drive-thru lanes are being sold at a premium and attracting rents that are 10% to 20% higher than typical lots, the CoStar Group reports.

More restaurants are showing a desire to add a drive-thru lane. For example, Chipotle Mexican Grill, which opened its first drive-thru in 2018, now has 355 drive-thru restaurants. Of the 78 locations it opened last quarter, 86% have drive-thru lanes.

Activity for commercial properties has been increasing over the past year. In 2021, the sales of restaurant, pharmacy, and bank properties rose to a record high of $12 billion. That is 43% more than 2019, prior to the pandemic, CoStar Group reports.

Read more: Commercial Investments Hit Record High in 2021

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