Protecting a McDonald’s Drive-Thru with Radiant Snow Melting

The Challenge

A McDonald’s in Flagstaff, AZ was looking for a way to improve its operational efficiency at its drive-through window. While Arizona is very hot and dry in the late spring and throughout the summer months, the late fall and winter season can be a challenge for those on the road. The McDonald’s found that their drive-through lane became very icy during winter weather, causing it to become slippery and hazardous for both customers and staff. As traditional snow removal methods - such as shoveling, plowing, and salting – are time-consuming and expensive, this McDonald’s was more interested in finding a long-term, cost-effective, and operationally-efficient solution to protecting the safety of the surrounding area as well as the integrity of the parking lot and drive-through pavement.

The Solution

After looking into various snow melting alternatives, this McDonald’s decided that the Warmup Snow Melting Mats would be a well-suited choice to protect their drivable spaces. The Snow Melting Mats are most used in concrete pours, asphalt driveways, and paved walkways, and are easy to roll-out during installation due to their pre-sized rectangular layout and pre-fixed cable spacing. The mats are designed to pre-heat the intended area to prevent any snow or ice from building up on a given pathway. The ComBox-600 Controller and AirSense Sensor are additionally capable of detecting temperature and moisture levels, which determines when the mats automatically turn on. This ensures that the right amount of energy and heat output is used at the right time and reduces the risk of accidents occurring due to dangerous winter weather conditions.

The Result

The Flagstaff McDonald’s found that the efficiency and safety of their drive-through improved during the winter seasons once the Warmup Snow Melting Mats were installed. As this was a long-term solution to snow melt management, they no longer had to pursue more traditional snow removal methods, leading to a more cost-effective and energy-efficient wintertime operation. Now, their drive-through remains consistently clear of snow and ice, allowing customers to smoothly enter and exit without concern for their safety or the wellbeing of their vehicle. The attached sensor provides that the mats produce heat output based on the moisture and temperature detected, ensuring that neither heat nor energy are lost at any point and resulting in savings on operating costs. McDonald’s was very happy with the results and is glad to have made an investment in maintaining their location and prioritizing their customers’ safety.