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 ...
“I can say “ham and Swiss on rye” faster than you can fondle your touch screen.”
No mayo? Mustard? You want lettuce and tomato on that? Want a pickle on the side?
Oh, by the way, English isn’t my first language. But I’m sure your order will be exactly correct. haha
Touchscreens are faster and more accurate. Always.
I believe they dabbled with table service here; I don’t see it now (though honestly I rarely even go to the drive-thru, never mind inside, anymore). I’d take that as a warning that your food will be a long time coming; I do recall that when I would go inside to avoid a long drive-thru line, they dedicated most of the efforts to the drive-thru - so you’d watch “your” food get handed out the window to someone who arrived on the line outside AFTER you’d decided to just park and walk in...
Certainly sounds better!
Hell with it, I’m just done eating out. My average credit card bill monthly has been $900 per month. Food, service, pricing usually suck...so why bother?
because fast food workers frequently have to wash their hands while customers don’t-
—
In Micky D’s case that would be between picking nose, coughing or ass scratching ... So no I never eat there any more, not even on a bet
One order flies and smar mirk...
I was on the Touch2000 team that built the kiosks for Arby’s and United Artist Theaters back many years ago. I don’t care how well or feature rich the software and systems are, the people are just too stupid to use it.
Fast-food will always need a human to enter orders.
“5G rolls out in less than 5 months. It should take about 5 years before it’s everywhere.”
Let’s us know when 4G, heck, 3G, is rolled out everywhere.
As an aside, I was a regular customer at "La Salsa" in Mira Mesa for over a year. Same employees. One day they decided to switch to Spanish only. I knew perfectly well that they spoke good English. Counterstrike...I ordered in Welsh just to enjoy the baffled expression. We agreed to transact in English since we share that in common.
LOL!
because fast food workers frequently have to wash their hands while customers don’t-
I don’t mean to offend you, but ROFL! You are laboring under the misconception that these people “frequently wash their hands”. And even if they do, if not done properly, they’re still walking around with dirty hands. Doctors and nurses don’t even wash their hands, a lot of the time.
The only GOOD news is that we’re all pretty much used to “average American germs”. The bad news -— we are NOT immune to the germs that people from third world countries, bring in with them, especially illegals or poorly vetted legal immigrants and migrant workers. Properly trained, properly managed employees is the answer to the American problem. Some of our third world “guests” may not understand or may not follow instructions. After all, many come from areas where water is scarce, and soap may be, also. But then, I’m your neighborhood xenophobe.
McDonalds As School.
Sigh....in an ideal world, you’re absolutely correct. In an ideal world.
Sonics already uses a ‘kiosk’ for every car.
I sometimes use a pencil.
“I once saw him kill three men, with a pencil. A @!#+$## pencil!” (John Wick)
Your description applies perfectly to the kiosks here in Tri-Cities, WA, as well, except for the multiple language options. Easy customization, good interface with effective graphics, and one or two counter people always available.
Really, it seems that only people entirely unfamiliar with any kind of a “point and click” interface for whatever reason are unable to use the kiosks.
BTW, stores are clean and nicely decorated here and the employees are pleasant and helpful.
“Let’s be honest. Unless you’re at Chic Fil A, you’re not being greeted by a smile.”
Actually, the McDonalds employees at my local franchise restaurants go a little overboard with the greeting hospitality, IMO, as they are told to do. I wish they’d tone it down a little.
Not yet they can't. Won't be long until lawsuits are filed claiming violations of ADA and anyplace that uses a kiosk or ipad like ordering system is forced to comply.
Just ask the banks about every lawsuit they were subjected to for ATM's that didn't have braille/vision impaired/hearing impaired capabilities. Some of those lawsuits are still clogging up the court system.
“they have an associate who stands by the kiosk to help people navigate them. “
Yes, normally our stores have that person available as well.
I often kid them, though, and say I’m going to hack the kiosk for a free Egg McMuffin, or something like that.
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