Inside Peppermint Twist Delano: Why Wcco Viewers Voted It Minnesota’s Best Drive-In
Operating a seasonal drive-in in central Minnesota demands careful logistical planning. The restaurant operates strictly from early May through late September, compressing an entire fiscal year of customer traffic into five intense months. When sub-zero winter temperatures hit Wright County, the pink shutters lock down tight.
Staffing relies heavily on local high school and college students who return each spring, trained to manage busy peak-hour rushes where vehicle lines spill out toward the highway shoulder. Supply chains require careful oversight, as the owners source high volumes of dairy, fresh produce, and ground beef during the height of summer travel. The brief operating window creates an unmistakable urgency: Minnesotans know that missing the summer window means waiting another seven months for their next hand-spun malt.