I actually like how they did the kiosks at Panera. Endless number of customization options — many of which I previously was not aware of. And since most people are scared of them (for whatever reason) and, thus, stand in line, I get in and out quicker.
I don’t normally eat at McSleaze. The only couple of times I have since implementation of kiosks, the kiosks were not all that “user friendly” if you wanted something customized (for example, an ice coffee with none of the nasty flavoring that they normally put in it). So, in order to get what I wanted, I still had to go to a cashier and patiently explain what I wanted.
As for the germ factor (in either case), I simply go to the restroom and wash my hands...which I normally do before eating anyway, particularly after handling money as in a fast food joint.
They’re easy to use but they do take a bit longer for the reason you mentioned. I’ve been to Wawa to grab a coffee and bagel and I see people standing at the damn kiosk when I arrive, and same person standing there as I’m checking out and leaving. just looking at their options for a sub, I guess.
McD in the USA or UK versus McD in Poland or India or Japan are completely different — in Poland and India they are treated like “premium fast food” and are clean and neat always. In Italy or japan they are kind of middling but still clean. Only in the US and UK did I find MCds pretty bad - the worse were in San Fran when I last visited in 2011 — besides which I found the entire city disgusting (and that was after visiting Mumbai...)
The thing that changed my attitude about Panera was the mobile app. I HATED standing in line there. It was usually long and slow. With the app I can customize my food in ways I didn’t even know were possible before the app, walk in, grab a bag, walk out and back to work. I love walking PAST the line!