Where did McDonald's open its first drive-through window in 1975?

McDonald's opened its first drive-through window in Sierra Vista, Arizona, in 1975.

The restaurant was located near Fort Huachuca, a U.S. Army installation. The drive-through was created partly to serve soldiers who could not leave their vehicles while wearing field gear. It allowed customers to order and receive food without entering the restaurant.

This innovation became an important part of McDonald's brand experience. Drive-through service later allowed the company to emphasize speed, convenience, recognizable menu boards, and a consistent ordering process. It became especially significant as car-based dining expanded in the United States and other markets.

The location is often confused with the company's first restaurant in San Bernardino or Ray Kroc's first McDonald's franchise in Des Plaines. Those sites are important to McDonald's history, but the first drive-through was in Sierra Vista, Arizona.