Posted on 07/18/2018 1:38:23 AM PDT by Cronos
“Would you like fries with that?” may soon be a phrase of the past.
As minimum wage levels approach or surpass $15 nationwide, restaurant customers expecting to be greeted by a smiling face will instead be welcomed by a glowing LED screen.
As of 2020, self-service ordering kiosks will be implemented at all U.S. McDonald’s locations. Other chains, including fast-casual brands like Panera and casual-dining brands like Chili's, have already embraced this trend. Some restaurant concepts have even automated the food-preparation process; earlier this year, NBC News profiled "Flippy," a robot hamburger flipper. Other upcoming concepts include virtual restaurants which eliminate the need for full-service restaurants (and staff) by only offering home delivery
While some consumers may appreciate the novelty or added convenience, the conveniences come at the cost of entry-level jobs.
My concern about this is personal. Without my opportunity to start as a grill man, I would have never ended up running one of largest fast food chains in the world. I started working at McDonald’s making the minimum wage of 85 cents an hour. I worked hard and earned a promotion to restaurant manager within just one year, then went on to hold almost every position available throughout the company, eventually rising to CEO of McDonalds USA.
The kind of job that allowed me and many others to rise through the ranks is now being threatened by a rising minimum wage that’s pricing jobs out of the market. Without sacrificing food quality or taste, or abandoning the much-loved value menu, franchise owners must keep labor costs under control. One way to combat rising labor costs is by reducing the amount of employees needed.
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
These days, I mostly interact with my phone via voice. I can no longer be bothered to type. Plus, it's a kick to see the wrong text briefly appear, then get corrected, and then the answer appears, all in less than a second!
The hygiene problem can be solved by voice ordering. Just like the drive-thru. Only with silicon on the other end (in both cases).
Or at least until they greatly improve voice recognition software.
Well, maybe at least robots can get the order right....
“cashier’s aren’t going anywhere”
Wrong,ever go to a drive up ATM?
Say thank you to another Unionization stunt forcing corp USA to circumvent their BS
Gee, who could have predicted this with dems constantly trying to raise the minimum wage to $15 and beyond - it all of a sudden becomes much, much cheaper (shorter payback) to invest in computers/robots then giving min wage people there first job.
I find there is simply nothing “fast” about it anymore - and while there are great bargains on the value menu, in general the combos have become expensive in comparison to alternatives (pizza, subs, etc.).
People who want to use the restroom. People on long drives who want to stretch their legs. People with kids who need to get out of the car for a bit. And yes … in many very small towns and rural areas, the local fast food places, including McDonalds, become gathering places for friends and small groups. Even in an urban area with more options, the fast food joint may be a neighborhood hangout, and not just for kids.
Absolutely. Having said that, how long would it take a person to customize their sub with a cashier? (making sure that the cashier, who likely only speaks a little English, gets it right)
The other thing with delays is a matter of "customer training."
The first time you walk into any kind of an establishment (restaurant, grocery store, department store, etc), it will always take you longer than when you are thoroughly familiar with the place. In the case of a retail establishment:
Once you're familiar with the store's layout, it becomes a whole lot faster.
Same thing with a restaurant of any kind. The first time you go in, you're going to peruse the menu. Once you are familiar with the menu, you can just order what you'd like without even looking.
I don't see that much different with the fast food kiosks. You have to train yourself how to use the kiosk. And then you have to know what it is you want. Before you learn how the individual chain's kiosks work, it takes a while. After you've self-trained, it's a pretty fast process...as long as you actually know what you want to order before getting to the kiosk.
Actually one of the McDonalds branches here has the ordering kiosks, but I ordinarily skip that.
But I will repeat what the one FReeper posted from (Europe?)
It is like a middle level upscale place, here.
I little bit higher priced than you would anticipate, actually.
are you as worried about the person handling your food? How about the ticked off person actually making your burger. Worried about them spitting in your food?
Germophobes unite alright, stay at home and fix your own food.
Agreed wholeheartedly. I actually don't hesitate eating at Mickey D's when in Europe (other than the fact that I like the local food better). Not so much in the States. (As for old Blighty, I try to avoid it when I can)
Rising wages or not, ways to lower costs would still be coming. While we over 40 aren’t so much in favor of them, those under 40 wonder what we’re fussing about. We’ve been pumping our own gas for 40 years. We’ve been checking ourselves out at the grocery for a decade. I first bumped into the self ordering kiosk at a convenience mart almost 20 years ago that had a deli (Sheetz). My then 20 something was marveling about the place and the unique ordering system.
So you have NEVER used a card swipe machine at a grocery store and pressed "YES" to confirm your purchase?
Outside of their urban blight stores, McD's is tied to their drive-thru. Going inside is a waste of time and hygiene.
That’s a good point, but we touch ATMs, too. Guess it’s not a bad idea to remember the hand sanitizer.
Real improvements in drive thru speakers and mics would be great.
All of the communication technology around and drive throughs sound like vintage phone calls.
My mom's old-people phone came with a little padded stylus to help her push the buttons on the screen. It's probably not hard to find those...maybe they will work on other touch screens. I think I'll find one to carry on my purse. I like Sheetz when I'm traveling and their touch screen order service is very efficient...and the sandwiches are good.
In related news, a gigantic robot Ronald McDonald broke free from the McDonald’s research facility and is on the loose. The huge but cheerful and lovable robot has smashed cars and toppled some buildings. Commuters are warned to avoid the freeway near the Main St exit.
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