Posted on 12/26/2012 8:51:37 PM PST by mykroar
We decided this is yet another result of Obamacare - I assume it would be very easy to turn on entrees and cut back your staff 5-10 people to get under the magic number regarding requiring health insurance. Googled these and apparently there are starting to pop up -- although this is the first time we've seen them (but we don't go out to eat much anymore).
Some of these cost saving techniques have already been developed, but not implemented because they may not have been received well or test marketed, but with Obamacare is it a different equation at work.
Look to start ordering fast food with your smart phone while you are in the drive thru, in line, or on the way. Then they can cut out the labor to take your order and money, and just hand you the food.
Considering the lousy service at my local Applebee’s, it can only be an improvement.
Of course, it wouldn’t shock me since I know the owners of several restaurant struggling with obamacare. They’re trying to keep going in a scary environment.
I’m not sure how obamacare treats bigger chains of franchise restaurants.
They already had this at a chain called Stackers a year ago. It does speed things up and save staff time.
Another great destroyer of civilized society, the "drive through".
Instead of taking the time to eat a decent meal with decent folks, we now curse at a speaker, and throw money and food at each other through a window.
Definitively a de-evoulutionary practice.
Years ago there was a restaurant in Kansas City that had a railroad theme with one side of the tables arranged around a track. You filled out your order on a pre-printed form using a pen they supplied, pushed a button at your table and a small train came tooting around the track and stopped at your table to pick up your order which you placed in the top of a railcar. Then you hit another button and the train left. Food was delivered on other small trains which had a flat car attached. All the waiters did was just come around and refill drinks. Kids thought it was cool. Guess they were just ahead of their time.
With the added benefit that they can now link your food order and frequency of eating there with your name, so the Obamabots can, uh, "adjust" your premiums and access to care accordingly.
fast food is already using “order centers” the voice at the box may not be in the store your at.
Pizza delivery chains do this as well.
I know that has been tested. Those call centers can be outside the US as well, naturally.
Applebee's announced back in November that they were cutting worker hours to under the magic 30 hr a week that would trigger ObamaCare.
I’m big on self-service. But once in a while, I like to go out to a real restaurant, and actually order food from a person who can give me a personal opinion about the food, maybe offer a suggestion, provide a smile, and just for a moment remember what it is like to interact.
You will be able to do that, the expensive restaurants will not go out of business. But you will have to pay for employees with more expensive health care.
Wonder if this is ALL Applebees as in nationwide, or Kansas only?
My family ate at a Red Robin burger joint a few days ago that also used this technology. There, the machine was just for ordering drinks and appetizers, but the waitress took the entree order. It was actually pretty handy because the restaurant was so crowded and we drank our sodas really quickly. I can imagine that it would be super handy if you were interested in getting drunk! We were in PA right next to Cabela’s (it was a few hour away drive, so I am not sure the name of the town).
Wawa already uses this touch screen to order sandwiches, and it is also pretty convenient.
All these years of not understanding the voice box and chalking it up to bad electronics is really the same Indian dude who I can't understand for computer tech and AT&T repairs.
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