3 ms·
I look forward to a totally automated fast-food franchise in the near future. Like the procu-swine gristle-processing factories in Stainless Steel Rat, but with
by JoeAltmaier 5y ago
I look forward to a totally automated fast-food franchise in the near future. Like the procu-swine gristle-processing factories in Stainless Steel Rat, but with less cynicism.
How hard is it to thaw hamburger, squeeze it onto a steam-scalded griddle, flip it or press it between two hot surfaces, transfer in onto a bun with pump-and-tube condiment delivery systems, bag it and drop into a chute?
Even if it couldn't match the variety and customization of a McD's, it could deliver something at a great price? Since half of your happy meal cost is the price of the high school student standing there waiting for you to order.
Anyway, like it or not, I expect we'll be getting it sooner than later.
- droidist2 5y agoI welcome the automation too, although I bet the food won't be any cheaper.
- petra 5y agoWhy, given that the food industry is very competitive and low margin ?
- droidist2 5y agoWell my thinking was that the investment in automation will only be made by the very large chains initially, so there won't be room for smaller players to undercut them. Eventually I guess it will become widespread but this will take a while, and by then the economics of a lot of other things will have evolved. So I can't picture one day McDonald's saying "Hey, our prices are now halved" but it could take the form of the prices rising slower relative to everything else over years.
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]