[Baynative]

Oddly, this first effort at automation is in Europe. But I think its a safe bet that America is next.

[Kickass Conservative]

When these machines are installed, the average “per customer” spend increases dramatically. When people use Plastic instead of Cash, they are less cognizant of the actual amount they are spending.

[dfwgator]

Carl’s Jr. Computer: Enjoy your EXTRA BIG ASS FRIES!
Woman at Carl’s Jr.: You didn’t give me no fries, I got an empty box.
Carl’s Jr. Computer: Would you like another EXTRA BIG ASS FRIES?
Woman at Carl’s Jr.: I said I didn’t get any!
Carl’s Jr. Computer: Thank you! Your account has been charged. Your balance is zero. Please come back when you can afford to make a purchase.
Woman at Carl’s Jr.: What? Oh no, NO!
[She hits the machine. An alarm goes off, and a sign appears on the computer saying “WARNING! Carl’s Jr. Frowns Upon Vandalism”]
Carl’s Jr. Computer: I’m sorry you’re having trouble. I’m sorry you’re having trouble.
Woman at Carl’s Jr.: Come on! My kids are starvin’!
Carl’s Jr. Computer: [the woman kicks the computer, and it sprays a fast-acting tranquilizer in her face] This should help you calm down. Please come back when you can afford to make a purchase. Your kids are starving. Carl’s Jr. believes no child should go hungry. You are an unfit mother. Your children will be placed in the custody of Carl’s Jr. Carl’s Jr... “—— You, I’m Eating.”
[Joe approaches the computer]
Carl’s Jr. Computer: Welcome to Carl’s Jr. Would you like to try our EXTRA BIG ASS TACO? Now with more MOLECULES!

[old and tired]

Here in the Philly area, our Wawa convenience stores have these touch screens at their deli counters. You still have to pay at the register, but ordering a hoagie or a breakfast sandwich is a piece of cake. It'd be easy enough for Wawa to add a credit card pay to their touch screens but I suspect they do a slightly better business by making customers walk over to the register. I always add a soda and a bag of chips. Lots of folks add those things and candy or cigarettes.

In my opinion, the touch screen change is long overdue in fast food.

[tanknetter]

Funny enough, the McDs on my grad school campus had an ordering kiosk as part of a trial over 10 years ago. Worked fine.

I expect that Libs/Progs here in the US will scream bloody murder over the unfairness of it. But will immediately stop once McDs agrees to have the kiosks also dispense voter registration cards.

[onedoug]

Sauce with your crap?

[the OlLine Rebel]

FOX just showed Panera planning this kind of thing, replacing all workers with “kiosks” to order and pay.

This is tied in with many other “automated” or should I say, DIY, “services”. Including the grocery stores now.

The grandfather of it all? Which we take for granted but have not once mentioned in this thread? GAS STATIONS.

Service disappeared long ago. Then some 15 years ago they started putting in CC options, which I balked at. Now, while I am fine with it per se, I prefer to pay up cash but am using the CC why? Because we are low on money! I’m relying on credit now! When I get a job again, I’ll probably go back to cash unless it is crucial to run out of there.

Sorry for rambling, but this gets me going. It’s good to offer MORE ways of doing things, but we have lost a lot of instant help by automating. Believe me, many times one needs help that no machine can offer. And sometimes even causes.

[Rebelbase]

Couldn’t McDowell’s just as easily develop a free app where people could order from their drone phone?

[SamAdams76]

The McDonalds clown always frightened me a little bit as a child. Never understood why they would want to associate a clown with a hamburger joint. Maybe Barnum & Bailey circus.

I hate the circus, by the way. Really freaked me out as a child.

[ro_dreaming]

Several Jack In The Boxes in my area have them already. Even sign you up for the JITB club.

[Tammy8]

I have been to a fast food place in El Paso, TX that uses a touch screen- they were doing it a couple years ago. It was not a McDonald’s but I can’t remember what it was. Everyone was using it without issue- I used it without issue. I have no problem with fast food places automating, I have expected them to and bet it will happen pretty fast with minimum wage going up.

[dalereed]

You can’t hire them, you either buy, lease, rent, or steal them!