Coffee on the move is booming in Britain. The Nation’s Favourite Coffee Shop, Costa Coffee today announces the opening of its 400th UK drive-thru store at Norwich Broadway Enterprise Park, marking a major milestone in the nation’s evolving coffee habits.
The opening reflects a broader shift toward speed, convenience, and flexible routines, trends that have accelerated as commuters return to post-pandemic life.
Nearly half of UK consumers (47%) have ordered coffee from a drive-thru in the past year according to research by Allegra, with the trend particularly strong among younger people (under 35s) and women.
Costa Coffee’s internal data also shows that drive-thru usage is growing strongly during weekday commuting hours, as Britons increasingly integrate coffee pick-ups into their daily routines. For many, the drive-thru offers more than convenience, it’s a moment of calm during the school run, on the commute, or while looking after young children.
Customers often praise the friendly, personalised service at drive-thrus, with store team members often remembering regular orders. One parent highlighted the convenience while travelling with a newborn in the car, while another said drive-thrus save time for grandparents with children: “It’s perfect when you have the grandchildren with you, you don’t even have to take them out of their car seats.”
Drive-thrus also play a critical role during periods of bad weather or heavy congestion, offering a low-friction alternative when accessing a traditional in-store coffee shop is difficult.
Costa Coffee, the UK’s largest drive-thru coffee operator, has been at the forefront of this trend since opening its first drive-thru in 2011. Across the UK, drive-thru coffee sites have grown 6.7% in the past year (Allegra), with a surge in demand that has grown 25% since the pandemic began according to data by Savills.
Nick Ridley, Costa Coffee’s property & store development director, said: “Drive-thrus have become an important part of how people fit coffee into their day. Weekday commuters, school runs, and travellers increasingly rely on them for speed and convenience. At the same time, our coffee shops remain at the heart of the Costa experience – drive-thrus complement our cafés, giving customers the choice of how and where they enjoy their coffee.”
Many of Costa Coffee’s drive-thru stores also include a full coffee shop, giving customers the flexibility to sit in or take away depending on their needs, and reflecting how coffee habits are becoming more varied and occasion-led.
“Our 400th drive-thru is an exciting milestone, showing how consumer habits are evolving – people want coffee that fits seamlessly into their lives.”
Looking ahead, Costa Coffee plans to open nearly 40 new drive-thru stores in England in 2026, reflecting growing demand for quick, on-the-go coffee while supporting the continued growth of its broader store network.
