[apillar]

My local grocery store has already replace about half their checkout lines with those electronic "self checkout" machines. Recently, for the first time, I noticed a local burger joint had replaced one of their lines with a "self-order machine" where you could put in your order and pay with a credit/debit card without ever speaking to a human.

I imagine when this minimum wage increase goes through this type of automation will become the rule rather than the exception.

[Tatze]

Exactly, the minimum wage kills jobs!

[spikeytx86]

I worked for a call center here in Lubbock that handled orders of dominoes pizza in Arizona and California. By us handling the phones and orders they needed 1-2 less employees. I expect contracts will start pouring into Lubbock from Dominoes and elsewhere once this baby is fully enacted.

[Squawk 8888]

My local grocery store has already replace about half their checkout lines with those electronic "self checkout" machines.

Retailers in Alberta pioneered the "self checkout" because the oil boom there has made if virtually impossible to retain workers in the service sector. Minimum wage is unchanged but employers are afraid to so much as give their workers a dirty look for fear of losing them, in spite of higher wages and even signing bonuses.

IOW boom times do far more to "protect" workers than labour laws ever could.

[CertainInalienableRights]

Ever been to a Taco Bell?

They don't prepare any of the raw ingredients. Everything comes bagged pre-cut and the meats are pre-cooked and only need to be warmed.

Nothing that happens behind the counter are beyond the capabilities of a properly designed automated system - call it a robot if you like. Right now, its just a question of economics.

At some point, the minimum wage will be high enough to justify the cost of a fully automated fast-food joint, and everyone behind the counter will be out of a job - and permanently because the cost of that type of machine will have to be spread out over years into the future for a store operator. IMHO, its only a matter of time. As soon as that happens, it will cascade through the industry as quickly as the products of the various companies are compatible. Some McDonalds already have robotic drink-filling machines in the drive-through window.

[longtermmemmory]

I think the advent of RFID tech coupled with the minimum wage increase is going to make such automation happen faster.

I find I can use the home improvement store's rapid check out lines faster than the manned traditional stations. You have ONE employee to handle four lines.

How soon before unions start opposing the self checkk out lines?

If I could have a AI receptionist who could do the phone transfering to the right person I could save more money. I just don't see the "press 1 for" systems being good for customer cultivation.

I can see the future marketing, "we have all automated check out lines, NO IDIOT EMPLOYEES TO RUIN YOUR CHECKOUT EXPERIENCE!"