Britain has received many things from America that we have little reason to be grateful for: Black Lives Matter, Instagram, the word ‘gotten’ – and the brief and unlovely period that Meghan Markle was a resident of this country. Yet one of the most enduring American imports is something that we no longer much notice: the drive-through – or ‘drive-thru’ – restaurant.

The all-American tradition of stuffing yourself with burgers and fries while sitting in the comfort of your car is here to stay. Thanks, America

There are now over 2,600 drive-thrus in Britain. A good number, of course, are McDonald’s – 1080, to be exact – but such is the growing allure of the drive-thru that others are getting in on the act – not least my beloved Greggs, which has 50 such outlets. As a result, the rent for a drive-thru has soared to almost double that of a fast food outlet in some shopping centres or retail parks.

In just a few decades, the drive-thru has taken over Britain.

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