bsnsBlooper: “How Long Have We Been Sitting In This Drive-thru?”

A new product slowed down the system it was supposed to grow.In the late 1980s, McDonald's began testing pizza in an effort to capture dinner traffic from competitors, adding a menu item that required significantly longer preparation times than its core offerings. While the strategy aimed to expand revenue beyond traditional fast food hours, the added complexity disrupted kitchen workflows and extended drive-thru wait times, undermining the speed that defined the brand. As operational friction increased and customer experience declined, the product was gradually phased out, illustrating how even well-intended expansion can fail when it conflicts with the system it enters.From bsnsHistory, the daily podcast about the moments when business quietly reshaped the world.Written and hosted by Ron Trucks. Research and editing by Rodney Russ. Sound design by Angela Cahoy. Music by Cody Martin and Soundstripe.For more daily business stories, visit www.bsnsDAILYpodcasts.com