McDonald's will install self-serve kiosks at locations nationwide

American Thinker ^ | 11/30/2016 | Rick Moran

[SeekAndFind]

In light of several cities passing $15 an hour minimum wage laws, McDonald's will install self-serve kiosks at many locations around the country. Wendy's has already gone the automated ordering route and othe fast food outlets are seriously considering it.

Supporters of the $15 hourly wage claim that few jobs will be lost as  result of automation. They say the self serve kiosks will make workers more efficient in dealing with the ordering process. That may be true (as explained here). But the near doubling of the minimum wage in most cities will be done incrementally, ostensibly to soften the blow to businesses. But that kind of thinking ignores the flash point where labor costs cannot be compensated for by raising prices. Eventually, something is going to have to give.

Forbes:

It’s not just McDonald’s that has embraced job-replacing technology. Numerous restaurant chains (both quick service and full service) have looked to computer tablets as a solution for rising labor costs that won’t adversely impact the customer’s experience. Eatsa, a fully-automated restaurant concept, now has five locations—all in cities or states that have embraced a $15 minimum wage. And in a scene stolen from The Jetsons, the Starship delivery robot is now navigating the streets of San Francisco with groceries and other consumer goods. The company’s founder pointed to a rising minimum wage as a key factor driving the growth of his automated delivery business.

[Sam Gamgee]

We were shown in the 80s and 90s the result in manufacturing when wage demands get out of control. Who would have thought the same mechanization could hit the service sector? Liberals managed to even do that.

[Sam Gamgee]

I had to have been a real ego blow to Stephen Harper. A talented man reigning over a good economy, knocked out by a know nothing talentless part time drama teacher with slightly better hair. I know it is a year later, but I am still in stage one – shock.

[Sam Gamgee]

Here is what I don't get. If government policy is such a cure all how did they pick $15 an hour? That means if you made $10 an hour, everyone is now 50% richer right? By why stop there? Why not make it $20 and hour, $100 an hour? I'm not trying to sound stupid, but trying to gauge the mindset of a liberal. I mean how do they decide. It can't be the roll of some chicken bones can it?

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

That’s a something....I eat there when I am in the middle of frantic working at some location and just need some food, fast, before I go hypo from hunger. And yeah, it has become almost a $10 meal by the time you get fries & drink (which I try not to do)

Cana dollar is another factor, esp lately.

But if you have kids who clamor for it....los ninos gritones as we say.

[Sam Gamgee]

Are you in Canada as well?

McDonalds isn't the only one. Mid scale places like Dennys, after my 6 member family walks out and pays the tip, it is $80 to $90 for dinner.

I prefer Wendys because their chicken is real meat. The worst is Burger King and Taco Bell. I don't think their chicken is even chicken.

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

No, not in Canada, but a McD meal has become not cheap, as you say. Especially for cardboard food.

I must confess, I’ve eaten at a Wendy’s exactly once and the squareburger was like leather and cardboard ground up together.

None of these chains do much for me. They are fairly reliable and predictable eateries, that’s about it. As you say, the $10 meal has become a $15 meal with bevs, tax, and tip.

[Sam Gamgee]

And we are told inflation is 2%. Yes, if you can eat an iPad.

[Morpheus2009]

And serve out pre-cooked burgers? Can’t stand those that way.

[Lizavetta]

They say the self serve kiosks will make workers more efficient in dealing with the ordering process.

Those that haven't been laid off, that is.

[Morpheus2009]

They do not understand that minimum wage jobs are supposed to be transitory, not permanent.