[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.

[cgbg]

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.

You just gave excellent reasons why fast food owners will want to greatly reduce retail outlets and focus on Amazon-type delivery. Less floors to mop, less rest-rooms to maintain, at a minimum.

[ctdonath2]

“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.”

Robots for making the orders are coming. The food prep really isn’t that complicated.
Self-driving vehicles are coming. Truckloads of product will show up with minimal human intervention.
Cafeteria-style serving is the norm. Robot will put your tray on the counter and call you (announcement, call, or text).
Cashless is normalizing. Cash acceptance kiosks will take the few holdouts.

Yes, there will still be need for mundane labor. Just a whole lot less of it. ...and more skilled labor, to make/manage/maintain the automation.

Supply and demand.

[discostu]

It becomes a bigger cost savings the higher the projected revenue for that time. During slow times when a McD staff level is one person up front doing all that stuff sure you’ll still need that person so it won’t help much. During busy times when you have 4 people running the registers AND 3 or 4 more doing that other stuff you just reduced necessary headcount by about around 30% (you’ve got 2 in the drive thru plus probably 3 or 4 in the grill). Then you add the cooking machines which are already available. Of course if you kiosk the drive thru (could be tough since it has to survive the weather) you can reduce that from 2 to 1. You can chop off 3/4 of the staffing even during slow times.

[stars & stripes forever]

Coming to a fast food restaurant near you...

A Robot Burger Restaurant Is Coming to San Francisco
http://www.eater.com/2016/7/1/12077990/robot-burgers-san-francisco-momentum-machines

[Covenantor]

Did you ever pay attention to the ratio of fry cooks to cashiers? Locally there are more cashiers than cooks.

Handle what cash? All automated when you place your order. Stick your debit/credit card/gift card into the machine or even feed cash into it.

Virtually eliminates employee theft, screw ups in making change and order foul ups. Eliminates cashier count outs at shift end. Not a real biggie but multiply the minutes x cashiers x shift changes. No more worrying about drug use, absenteeism, late arrivals, training time, all drains on bottom line.

As for the general custodial work, really only need 1 per shift. Most times around here you see the owner or mgr doing a lot that work to see things run smoothly.

Big savings are in net cost of employee, SocSec contribution, unemployment, workman's comp, benefits, insurance, and so forth.

And the automated cookers coming online now can replace the former fry cooks with current hourly of about $9.25, across the big fast food chains, anticipating the the $15+costs increase.

Big win? Maybe, maybe just holding on with rising costs in other categories.

[reaganaut]

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

[CodeToad]

“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.

[itsahoot]

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.

[Cronos]

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