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In the UK they have been rolling these out. They don't eliminate the cashier completely, there's still 1 or 2, but most people now seem to use the kiosks from t
by mattmanser 8y ago
In the UK they have been rolling these out. They don't eliminate the cashier completely, there's still 1 or 2, but most people now seem to use the kiosks from the few times I've been in since they rolled them out a year ago.
The more annoying thing is that they've moved to a JIT production system at the same time, which means if you just wanted to pick up a cheeseburger in a rush, you end up waiting much longer than you used to.
The people on the JIT production line also tend to completely ignore the customers and tend to just stand around chatting right in front of them waiting for things to arrive, the customers all mill around awkwardly near the serving counter, and all this reinforces the impression you're waiting a lonnnggggggggg time.
It really feels less a fast food restaurant and more like an awkward food restaurant.
Perhaps it's just because I'm British ;)
On the plus, I'm sure it's reduced food waste.
- jon-wood 8y agoMy local McD's in the UK has also added table service alongside the kiosks. You place your order, and then pick up a table number sign and enter its number. Some time later someone comes over with your food.
- lbriner 8y agoI think in Britain, the cashiers in McDonalds are noticeably better than most fast food places and I have more trouble with the kisosk. The Touchscreens are variable and for some reason, they don't detect when the receipt paper has run out so you are left hoping the order went through and not lost in the ether. I have waited a long time for food since the kiosks and have to go and ask if the order is on the system. Since people pick it, I have still had order mistakes but hey, it usually means ordering quickly instead of waiting behind the person who wants to reconfigure the entire menu during their order.
- ryanmercer 8y ago>The more annoying thing is that they've moved to a JIT production system at the same time, which means if you just wanted to pick up a cheeseburger in a rush, you end up waiting much longer than you used to. They've done this here in the US with several of the product lines, preparing it once you order it instead of keeping it in a heating unit. It's pretty annoying in the drive-thru unless they are really busy. If there is only a car or two in front of you, guess what... once you pay they're going to have you park and wait a couple of minutes, if there are several cars in front of you though it will usually be ready by the time you get to the second window. I'm not getting fast food because I want made-from-scratch freshness, I'm getting fast food because I am in a hurry and want something inherently portable.
- krapp 8y ago>I'm not getting fast food because I want made-from-scratch freshness, I'm getting fast food because I am in a hurry and want something inherently portable. Macdonalds wants to disassociate itself from the image of fast food and heat lamps for much the same reason that KFC no longer calls itself "Kentucky Fried Chicken."
- mattmanser 8y agoWell, they still have a bunch of sullen workers standing around at the end of a conveyor belt waiting to dish out orders...
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]