Get our free mobile appThe development of widespread drive-through coffee shops may represent a shift in the culture of coffee shops. Although the drive-through shop maximizes profits due to its smaller space requirements and high customer turnover, the social element of coffee culture is lost when coffee shops prioritize customers in cars. When the new world was colonized, coffee shops in New England became centers for discussion, political dialogue, and business. As South American countries began cultivating coffee trees, the drink became more affordable in the U.S. This led to the emergence of large coffee brands, which contributed to the widespread popularity of coffee as the nation expanded westward.