[mykroar]

My brother and I hit Applebee's tonight (had a gift card to burn) and found these touch screen menus on each table. Not sure when this started, but it has to have been within the last couple months. It's a touch screen menu coded to your table - and you can order everything except your entrees. We played with it and when you order, it lights up at the top to let them know there is a pending order. You can also pay directly thru the machine if you choose to (we didn't since we had a gift card and were able to easily round-off).

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).

[Vince Ferrer]

Yes, it is because of Obamacare, they will automate everything they can. They can cut the steps to order food in half if the customers start taking their own orders. Then all they need servers for is the physical delivery of the food, and less paid labor will be required.

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.

[MediaMole]

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.

[Moonmad27]

They already had this at a chain called Stackers a year ago. It does speed things up and save staff time.

[null and void]

WRIST (Worker Reduction In Scheduled Time to below ObamaCare threshold)

Applebee's announced back in November that they were cutting worker hours to under the magic 30 hr a week that would trigger ObamaCare.

[CharlesWayneCT]

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.

[donozark]

Wonder if this is ALL Applebees as in nationwide, or Kansas only?

[Rutabega]

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.