5 ms·

Cooks seem harder to automate, but I'm seeing kiosks replace cashiers more and more lately.

by bhaney 3y ago

MrFoof 3y ago
My local McDonald's just renovated with what I assume is their newest layout concept. The front counter has exactly two registers/terminals, of which even at a busy time (school out, so tons of teenagers packed into the place), only one was staffed. Very small ordering counter. On the other side of the area is a much larger pick up area with order status screens. There's only two electronic menu boards down from the previous four. Yet six total self-order kiosks (three double-sided), but the real expectation is people will just place the order with the phone via mobile ordering. After all, that's what most of the teenagers order did, in order to get their $0.50 Double Cheeseburger (with no additional purchase). Moreover, you can't see into the kitchen anymore at all. It was a solid wood-decorated wall behind the counter, clearly a "hallway" or partition behind that, of which behind that is likely the actual kitchen. They increased the space of the dining area somewhat as a result.
- dmoy 3y ago
  > in order to get their $0.50 Double Cheeseburger I haven't been to McDonald's (in the US at least) in like 20 years. Double cheeseburgers are only $0.50?? After inflation that feels like it costs 25% of what I used to pay.
  - bhaney 3y ago
    It's a special offer for using the app, not the normal price
  - mathgeek 3y ago
    It’s a promotional offer to get folks using the app and hopefully turning on ads via notifications.
  - MrFoof 3y ago
    Absolutely not. As others have mentioned, in-app coupon. Haven't seen it recur since (this was a few weeks ago). Normal price of a Double Cheeseburger at that location is $3.89 ($4.13 with sales tax).
    - dmoy 3y ago
      Ah okay, that makes a lot more sense
calmworm 3y ago
I much prefer a kiosk or ordering on my phone… and I also rarely do a drive thru order. There is less chance of a mistake when I enter the order myself.
CTDOCodebases 3y ago
This was inevitable. As a human it’s hard to compete with a screen when the person who needs to interact with you has used them for as long as they can remember.

Cooks seem harder to automate, but I'm seeing kiosks replace cashiers more and more lately.

by bhaney 3y ago

Cooks seem harder to automate, but I'm seeing kiosks replace cashiers more and more lately.

My local McDonald's just renovated with what I assume is their newest layout concept. The front counter has exactly two registers/terminals, of which even at a busy time (school out, so tons of teenagers packed into the place), only one was staffed. Very small ordering counter. On the other side of the area is a much larger pick up area with order status screens. There's only two electronic menu boards down from the previous four. Yet six total self-order kiosks (three double-sided), but the real expectation is people will just place the order with the phone via mobile ordering. After all, that's what most of the teenagers order did, in order to get their $0.50 Double Cheeseburger (with no additional purchase). Moreover, you can't see into the kitchen anymore at all. It was a solid wood-decorated wall behind the counter, clearly a "hallway" or partition behind that, of which behind that is likely the actual kitchen. They increased the space of the dining area somewhat as a result.

dmoy 3y ago
> in order to get their $0.50 Double Cheeseburger I haven't been to McDonald's (in the US at least) in like 20 years. Double cheeseburgers are only $0.50?? After inflation that feels like it costs 25% of what I used to pay.
- bhaney 3y ago
  It's a special offer for using the app, not the normal price
- mathgeek 3y ago
  It’s a promotional offer to get folks using the app and hopefully turning on ads via notifications.
- MrFoof 3y ago
  Absolutely not. As others have mentioned, in-app coupon. Haven't seen it recur since (this was a few weeks ago). Normal price of a Double Cheeseburger at that location is $3.89 ($4.13 with sales tax).
  - dmoy 3y ago
    Ah okay, that makes a lot more sense

calmworm 3y ago

I much prefer a kiosk or ordering on my phone… and I also rarely do a drive thru order. There is less chance of a mistake when I enter the order myself.

CTDOCodebases 3y ago

This was inevitable. As a human it’s hard to compete with a screen when the person who needs to interact with you has used them for as long as they can remember.