Tech fail at the drive-thru? This self-driving car caused a 30-minute traffic jam
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You’re craving waffle fries. It’s late, and the Chick-fil-A drive-thru feels like the perfect solution—until the line doesn’t move.
Minutes tick by, and then the culprit reveals itself: a driverless car, blinking its hazards and blocking everyone’s path.
What was supposed to be a quick fast-food run turned into an unexpected test of patience.
The incident unfolded around 9:30 p.m. at a Chick-fil-A on Lincoln Boulevard.
A Waymo autonomous vehicle, a subsidiary of Google's parent company—offers futuristic, self-driving taxis.
Customers, including witness Chris Kellogg, was among those waiting for the self-driving vehicle to self-drive its way back onto the street.
Customers, including witness Chris Kellogg, were among those waiting for the self-driving vehicle to self-drive its way back onto the street.
Kellogg recorded the car’s brief and awkward attempt to reverse before freezing in place again.
Chick-fil-A workers stood nearby, assessing the situation, while hungry patrons wondered if their late-night snack dreams were dashed.
Eventually, the restaurant had to close the drive-thru to safely remove the stalled vehicle, redirecting customers to a walk-up window instead.
Kellogg and others were told the restaurant was shutting down for the night, all thanks to a piece of high-tech machinery with no idea how to order a chicken sandwich.
Waymo later confirmed the mishap and said its team retrieved the car.
The company added that it is “committed to continuously improving our service” and will implement updates to prevent future incidents.
Though Waymo has navigated many urban quirks since its founding in 2004, this marks a rare and very public misstep.
It's unclear if the vehicle had a passenger or was simply off-course.
Either way, this hiccup shows the bumpy road of tech integration into everyday life—especially in spaces designed for humans, not robots.
Read more:
Have you ever encountered a driverless car in a place it didn’t belong? Would you wait 30 minutes for Chick-fil-A, or hit the brakes and head somewhere else? Share your thoughts, laughs, or gripes in the comments. Let’s talk tech, tacos, and the future of fast food—together.
Minutes tick by, and then the culprit reveals itself: a driverless car, blinking its hazards and blocking everyone’s path.
What was supposed to be a quick fast-food run turned into an unexpected test of patience.
The incident unfolded around 9:30 p.m. at a Chick-fil-A on Lincoln Boulevard.
A Waymo autonomous vehicle, a subsidiary of Google's parent company—offers futuristic, self-driving taxis.
Customers, including witness Chris Kellogg, was among those waiting for the self-driving vehicle to self-drive its way back onto the street.
Customers, including witness Chris Kellogg, were among those waiting for the self-driving vehicle to self-drive its way back onto the street.
Kellogg recorded the car’s brief and awkward attempt to reverse before freezing in place again.
Chick-fil-A workers stood nearby, assessing the situation, while hungry patrons wondered if their late-night snack dreams were dashed.
Eventually, the restaurant had to close the drive-thru to safely remove the stalled vehicle, redirecting customers to a walk-up window instead.
Kellogg and others were told the restaurant was shutting down for the night, all thanks to a piece of high-tech machinery with no idea how to order a chicken sandwich.
Waymo later confirmed the mishap and said its team retrieved the car.
The company added that it is “committed to continuously improving our service” and will implement updates to prevent future incidents.
Though Waymo has navigated many urban quirks since its founding in 2004, this marks a rare and very public misstep.
It's unclear if the vehicle had a passenger or was simply off-course.
Either way, this hiccup shows the bumpy road of tech integration into everyday life—especially in spaces designed for humans, not robots.
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