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McDonald's To Install Ordering Kiosks Instead Of Paying People $15/Hour(WHAT?!)
townhall.com ^ | 11/29/2016 | Christine Rousselle

Posted on 12/01/2016 7:19:43 AM PST by rktman

A former McDonald's CEO is laying the blame on the "Fight for $15" movement as for why the company is embracing automation in its restaurants. McDonald's will install self-serve kiosks in its restaurants around the country to replace human cashiers.

Let’s start with automation. In 2013, when the Fight for $15 was still in its growth stage, I and others warned that union demands for a much higher minimum wage would force businesses with small profit margins to replace full-service employees with costly investments in self-service alternatives. At the time, labor groups accused business owners of crying wolf. It turns out the wolf was real.

Earlier this month, McDonald’s announced the nationwide roll-out of touchscreen self-service kiosks. In a video the company released to showcase the new customer experience, it’s striking to see employees who once would have managed a cash register now reduced to monitoring a customer’s choices at an iPad-style kiosk.

(Excerpt) Read more at townhall.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: fastfood; mcdonalds; minwages; technology
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To: ridesthemiles

They’ll still have one cashier at the counter, if only to keep an eye on everything and serve the rare person still using cash.
Might also install a kiosk that accepts cash.


101 posted on 12/01/2016 9:50:23 AM PST by ctdonath2 ("If anyone will not listen to your words, shake the dust from your feet and leave them." - Jesus)
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To: Mr Rogers; xzins; cymbeline

Most days I place and pay for my coffee order through an app on my phone. That way it is always right, correctly charged, ready for me when I get there, and spares me any dialogue with the “barista”. After repeatedly closing the “tip option”, it no longer seems to pop up because it ain’t gonna happen. I love it.


102 posted on 12/01/2016 9:56:09 AM PST by philled (If this creature is not stopped it could make its way to Novosibirsk!)
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To: DoodleDawg

The machine takes the money and it should be at least 8 fewer employees (4 per shift) based on the number of counter workers at our closest McDonalds


103 posted on 12/01/2016 10:30:05 AM PST by reaganaut (I'm looking forward to Trump as President. I'm an Evangelical and I vote.)
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To: rktman

Press 1 for English, 2 good luck


104 posted on 12/01/2016 10:45:03 AM PST by DownInFlames
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To: rktman

The entire operation of a McDonalds could be automated with current technology, except you would still need one person on staff to keep the place clean.


105 posted on 12/01/2016 10:47:58 AM PST by Boogieman
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To: Stayfree

Well, the main components of a kiosk are the electronics and they are all made in China. I guess they might slap the plastic shell together here in the USA still.


106 posted on 12/01/2016 10:49:52 AM PST by Boogieman
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To: rktman

Democrat Minimum Wage: Killing jobs by making lower paid jobs illegal. Only jobs worth $15 or more allowed by Democrats.


107 posted on 12/01/2016 10:51:38 AM PST by CodeToad (Ding Dong, the Bitch is Dead!!!)
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To: Zeppelin
Yet another thing accurately predicted by "Idiocracy"

"Welcome to Carl's Jr - Enjoy your Extra Big Az Fries!"

108 posted on 12/01/2016 10:54:01 AM PST by Boogieman
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To: DoodleDawg

“OK so they still need people to cook the order. They need people to deliver the food. They need people to take the money. They need people to mop the floor and restock the drink glasses and clean the restroom. I’m not seeing where there is going to be a huge headcount reduction because of this.”

1. “they still need people to cook”
They have invented a robotic system to do all of it.

2. “people to deliver the food”
Amazon, google, and others are experimenting with large heavy order fulfillments via drones. I’d expect the first iterations within three years.

3. “They need people to take the money.”
Nope. The entire purpose of the kiosk system is to take the money as well.

4. “They need people to mop the floor”
Robots. Residential robots are already available.

5. “restock the drink glasses”
Nope. Robotics. Even the robotic delivery vehicle can restock the condiments and utensils. McD’s has that in the works.

6. “clean the restroom”
Actually, they are thinking of doing away with them. It is a cost center and they really don’t want people hanging around anymore. That, and you guessed it, robotics. Automated self-cleaning restrooms have been invented. Basically, a restroom that can be hosed down from top to bottom and disinfected.


109 posted on 12/01/2016 10:56:59 AM PST by CodeToad (Ding Dong, the Bitch is Dead!!!)
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To: cgbg
It is just a matter of time before the drive through windows have voice recognition software and machines to accept the cash and deliver the food.

Kiosks could even recognize different languages. Speak any language and you still get your big mac super value meal.
110 posted on 12/01/2016 10:57:09 AM PST by YummiBox (tagline intentionally left blank.)
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To: wbarmy

“Chick-Fil-A hires for value; smiling happy waiters and waitresses, making the purchase a pleasure and pulling customers back.”

The value of that decision is amazing.

#1 Chick-fil-A has a per store revenue of $3.977 million.

#5 McD’s, with their illegal aliens has only $2.5 million.

Heck, even #2 Jason’s Deli has a per store revenue of $2.664 million, beating McD’s.

#15 Wendy’s and their liberal freak show for employees (seriously; full body tats, face piercings, transvestites, ex-cons) has dropped to only $1.54 million. Wendy’s is facing bankruptcy.


111 posted on 12/01/2016 11:02:47 AM PST by CodeToad (If it weren't for physics and law enforcement, I'd be unstoppable!)
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To: Red Badger
The people will still make the food

Not for long they won't.

112 posted on 12/01/2016 11:27:58 AM PST by itsahoot (Three words I don't want to hear, Comprehensive Immigration Reform.)
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To: DoodleDawg
I’m not seeing where there is going to be a huge headcount reduction because of this.

I have noticed there is great deal you don't see dawg.

113 posted on 12/01/2016 11:30:58 AM PST by itsahoot (Three words I don't want to hear, Comprehensive Immigration Reform.)
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To: Red Badger

... in broken English/Spanish so you can’t understand anything being said.

I’m sick of not being able to understand anything unless i am fluent in Spanish.


114 posted on 12/01/2016 11:35:22 AM PST by BunnySlippers (I Love Bull Markets!!!)
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To: DoodleDawg
there won't be a huge hc reduction, but a significant one nonetheless

also, mcdonald's food is meant to be exactly the same each and every time -- no room for variance

This is perfect for roboticisation - take two buns, put exactly x amount of condiments, put y amount of lettuce, fry the burger exactly this way and assemble.

this can be easily productionized -- McD's just needs to trim its menu (what it needs to do in any case)

Delivering the food also doesn't need people -- assembly line.

You don't need people to take the money already -- these self-service ordering stations act like vending machines - you pay by card or insert cash.

To mop the floor, collect the glasses and clean the restroom, yes they need people - for now

115 posted on 12/01/2016 11:36:01 AM PST by Cronos (Obama's dislike of Assad is not based on his brutality but that he isn't a jihadi Moslem)
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To: ronniesgal
my credit union phased out the ATM’s. and sent me a debit card instead. I like cash!!!

Cash will soon disappear no matter what you like. Christians of all people should not be shocked at that development.

116 posted on 12/01/2016 11:36:30 AM PST by itsahoot (Three words I don't want to hear, Comprehensive Immigration Reform.)
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To: BunnySlippers

We have a lot of Mexican restaurants here, and lots of Mexicans empolyees. We just order by number...............


117 posted on 12/01/2016 11:37:41 AM PST by Red Badger
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To: jazminerose
we have to understand that many,many people do not want to work at all....

they would rather be on disability...

they would rather be home playing porn on their computers...

it pays more to get unemployment and disability than to actually go out and work...

so these workers do not care...

118 posted on 12/01/2016 11:38:08 AM PST by cherry
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To: CodeToad
#5 McD’s, with their illegal aliens has only $2.5 million.

For an average net profit of maybe $100,000/year while the taxpayers get stuck paying $500,000/year in benefits to the illegals via foodstamps, section 8, health care, government schools, law enforcement, prisons, drug deaths.

119 posted on 12/01/2016 11:38:21 AM PST by Reeses (A journey of a thousand miles begins with a government pat down.)
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To: VanDeKoik
not everyone can be a brainiac like you....some people have good work ethics but not the education or know how to do the brainiac jobs like you....

we do need people willing to be the sales clerks, the garbage collectors, the waitresses, the newspaper boy, the people that cut hair and the people that clean up after us...

hate to think how our lives with be if we didn't have the little "stupid" people to carry the load...

120 posted on 12/01/2016 11:42:08 AM PST by cherry
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