Define drive thru "line time."

Drive-thru "line time" is specifically defined as the period that begins when a guest's vehicle reaches the drive-thru menu board and concludes when the vehicle departs from the payment window. This measurement captures the efficiency and speed of service in the drive-thru process, emphasizing the time spent actively engaged in the ordering and payment stages.

This approach allows the restaurant to gauge how efficiently they are managing the customer flow and service speed, with the menu board as a pivotal point where the ordering begins. It also highlights the critical experience for the guest during these moments, ensuring that their wait time is minimized from the point of order until they are ready to leave with their food.

The other options either define the time inaccurately or do not encompass the entire process required to effectively measure line time.