NORTHLAKE, Ill. - Getting a cup of Seattle??s Best Coffee just got a little easier at one Chicago-area location. The coffee chain owned by Starbucks began a pilot drive-thru program that focuses on car-friendly menu items in areas lacking premium coffee shops, Nation??s Restaurant News reports.

Seattle??s Best has been increasing its reach with more products in grocery stores. The brand also has become the coffee of QRS chains like Burger King, Subway and Taco Bell.

The brand will make inroads into the convenience store market later this year with its deal to serve Seattle??s Best at around 550 Chevron ExtraMile stores. The chain is struggling to recover from last year??s closure of close to 475 Borders Bookstores locations that had Seattle??s Best retail units inside.

The drive-thru test unit is in a Walmart parking lot. The menu offers original and dark roast coffee, hot or iced, plus specialty drinks like Caramel Candy and Birthday Cake-flavored lattes, S??mores mochas, and Caramel Pretzel. Food will also be available, such as breakfast sandwiches, warm pretzel bread with turkey or ham, and multigrain bars, cookies and muffins.

"In this location, we??re debuting our revamped coffee and food menu based on what customers have told us is important," said Jim McDermet, senior vice president and general manager of Seattle??s Best Coffee. "Our customers are constantly on the go, and they tell us that finding great coffee options that fit their busy lifestyles is tough. ??They??re sacrificing great tasting coffee and food for speed and convenience, and we can put an end to that."

Starbucks has long seen the growth potential of Seattle??s Best. Recently, Seattle??s Best has opened locations in nontraditional places, such as airports, university campuses and medical centers.