[xzins]

My guess is that each one costs at least a year’s wages. Afterwards, if they replace one worker, then they are profit.

[unixfox]

My guess is that each one costs at least a year’s wages.

Hardly. The cost will be less than a months wages for the average employee. Computers are cheap.

[MortMan]

If each machine costs a year’s wage for one worker, then a typical place that is open 16-20 hours per day would be saving money after 5 or 6 months. For a 24 hour operation, 4 months.

Very cost effective, and no more no-shows without calling in.

[IronJack]

My guess is that each one costs at least a year’s wages.

I would guess less than a week's. They're nothing but a computer monitor, maybe a small CPU, wired into the restaurant's network. Each screen maybe $300.

This is an idea whose time came a long time ago. If you can use a computer to order an airline ticket and select your seat, there's no reason at all that you can't use one to order a hamburger and fries -- with or without the pickles.

[driftdiver]

Nothing more than a small part terminal. Under a thousand. The software would be the biggest cost. Installation would also be an expense. Cuts the hourly labor costs, Healthcare, workers comp, training, and eliminates at least 1 employee for the day. Say they are open 16 hours a day. That’s $240 per day plus taxes and insurance costs. Probably around 275 to 300 a day total. Payback would be very quick.

The real issue is customer acceptance.

[JimRed]

My guess is that each one costs at least a year’s wages.

And the costs can be a tax writeoff as a capital improvement.