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KFC will open its first ever drive-through only store to speed-up the service of fried chicken and to cater to the rapidly growing food delivery industry through companies such as Deliveroo and Menulog.

The concept store — the first drive-through only KFC in the world — will be trialled in Newcastle to allow customers to order their meals on an app before driving through and collecting their chicken.

They will also be able to order meals from their cars using computers at one of the five stations. When the chooks are cooked, the customer will then drive to the main window and be given their meal.

KFC chief marketing officer Kirsti Woolrych said the format was inspired by the shift in consumer behaviour to a more digital reliance.

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She said about 5 per cent of ordering currently takes place on digital platforms which is expected to grow to about 30 per cent in just three years.

“Click and collect is just becoming such a natural part of everyday life, and people are much more comfortable purchasing on a mobile phone now than ever before,” Ms Woolrych told news.com.au.

“When you look at food within that, food is the fastest growing sector for online ordering and what we’re seeing in our own data is that our customers are ordering through online channels more and more.”

She said digital ordering at KFC has doubled year-on-year for the last five years.

“What that shows is people are looking for faster, easier, and more convenient options, and the drive-through only format gives us the opportunity to connect with what is a faster and more seamless ordering experience with a faster and more seamless collect experience,” Ms Woolrych said.

The format follows digital transformations of Woolworths and 7-Eleven, and is part of a growing retail trend where brands are moving away from the traditional cashier system.

“It’s hard to say where it’ll end but definitely food is catching up to the likes of airlines and banks in terms of how customers are starting to access their meals,” the marketing officer said.

Ms Woolrych said the concept would be invaluable in supporting its partnerships with Deliveroo and Menulog.

“We’re excited about how this sits alongside our strategy of supporting delivery as a need our customers have,” she said.

“Drivers play a pretty important role to making sure our customers’ wait times are shorter and that they’re getting their food as fresh as possible.

“If we can make it easier for drivers to collect the food and get it to our customers then our customers will get a better experience.”

Queensland University of Technology retail expert Gary Mortimer said businesses were continually blending digital and physical elements into their service model.

“The type of technology KFC is launching is quite innovative and aims to reduce wait times,” he said.

“While customers can still verbally place an order, this second option allows customers to pre-order and pay on their smartphones, drive up and collect.”

But he said the fast food chain should have expanded its digital offering to a more communicative system such as beacon technology which is being trialled by Dan Murphy’s.

“While convenient, (KFC) consumers still need to park, key in a four digit code and wait while their order is being freshly prepared,” Dr Mortimer said.

“Beacon Technology sends ‘push’ notifications to customers’ phones once their order is ready and also notifies the store when the customer is within 400m.

“Allowing store staff to have the order waiting to go. No waiting and ultra-convenient.”

The KFC concept will be a trial with the potential for a nationwide rollout.

Continue the conversation on Twitter @James_P_Hall or james.hall1@news.com.au