Over the past few weeks, automation has been a trending theme among many industries. Granted automation has its benefits with regards to labour cost cuts, it also presents a contributing negative factor; unemployment.
Wendy's recent announcement:
The Dublin, Ohio, hamburger chain will install self-ordering kiosks at about 1,000 locations by the end of the year.
By the same token, Wendy's' Kiosk idea isn't a new concept. Mcdonalds adapted the kiosk idea in 2015. Wendy's rationale behind this new innovation is such that:
The kiosks are intended to appeal to younger customers and reduce labor costs, according to Wendy’s chief information officer, David Trimm, by allowing customers to circumvent long lines during peak dining hours while increasing kitchen production.
Source: Wendy's adds kiosks to its menu
Though this helps decrease labour costs and the technology appeals to youth, is this addition strictly to reduce costs or is this only the beginning of automation in the fast food industry. Could the demand or human labour become obsolete in the face of increasing advancement in automation?
Well, screaming demands for $15 an hour seem to be working out well. Hopefully, odds of my order getting messed up go down with it.
Now will they protest for their jobs back? That comment about orders being messed up is too accurate.
Sadly yes, particularly since it is entered on a computer. Shouldn't be that difficult punch screen, verify, give cup, place on tray and done.
No they'll complain to their God Bernie Sanders who'll demand a tax on robots to subsidize loss of income for these people only to be shut down by the DNC and fade into oblivion.
Anyone in Philly knows about WaWa and how you order from a touch screen forever. Glad the McDonald's protests have finally pushed the franchises from implementing this.
Man, just when I stop eating that delicious shit, they finally make it nice to order from there.
Introduced to WaWa this past summer. How have I missed such a beautiful place for so long?
Place is amazing. Hidden gem.
Gale the Snail works at the WaWa and we got beef.
Sheetz > Wawa, fight me
Wasn't McDonalds also testing something like this
Mcdonalds announced their intent to implement it in 2015, and in 2016 rolled out the kiosks.
I've seen the kiosks in midtown
The McDonalds in the small town in France I was in last year had this. I didnt eat there, but my coworkers went and said it worked well.
Not to put anyone out of work but I'd rather put my order in via kiosk than most of those taking your order today.
No-brainer really. Chains will likely need a few cashiers for when grandma wants some french fries but doesn't want to mess with "the big calculator" in the corner. But for anyone under the age of 60, it's much more convenient pushing buttons for what you want on your burger instead of telling a cashier "No onion" only to see "No mayo" pop up on the screen.
Anyone who thinks being a cashier is a long term job prospect is kidding themselves. There are no negatives to this in my opinion. Fast food turnover is atrocious they won't even need to do layoffs, just wait a month and let people quit on their own like normal.
I thought the pic would show. Your answer is in the link above
Panera Bread also does this. It's awesome. Although, ironically, I think it made me more indecisive and took longer initially since i could customize to my heart's content.
I am in Canada and I have never seen Panera Bread doing this. Although I imagine many places will soon adopt this kiosk idea.
Yeah it was crazy, as i'd never heard they were doing it either. But if it happening where I am... trust me it will be everywhere soon!
They are im most of the McD's in London. Works well.
Good. Why have someone actually doing something while being supported by a private business, when you can have someone doing nothing (which rarely ends well- an additional perk) being supported by the tax payer. Hopefully this trend continues so I can save $.03 on my spicy chicken club and make it up 10,000 fold on the tax increase.
Fuck man, now I can't ask for a "cup of water" and fill it with soda
What kind of a cheap fuck are you?
As a university student, I can attest to the fact that a majority of us are broke. This leads us to being "cheap fucks" Regardless though, it's like $2 for a medium soda, so it's quite cheap already.
I keep waiting for the machine that can deliver any food item with a press of a button. Chicken Caesar? Sure. Delmonico? NP. Kobe Beef? Are you out of your mind?
Anyway, that's the sort of thing they had in Star Trek. All the same powder food stuff with all the nutrients you need nothing more nothing less but designed and flavored to resemble all your favorites but every meal has the same calorie and nutrient profile. I for one cannot wait for that day.
In Japan they have the machines with the conveyor belts that automatically delivers food to your table upon order from the kitchen.
I'm WAITING for that day...least for here.
That sounds amazing! I doubt it will reach Canada anytime soon though
This is not really new in Japan, I remember seeing this in the 90's as kid.
On the other hand, here in my country when we rolled out those machines that sell subway tickets, employees began to destroy them so they would 'not be replaced'. The machines were eventually deployed but somehow (most) of those guys kept their jobs, doing nothing and being expensive to taxpayers.
Some 2, 3 years ago we deployed those passport checking kiosks in the airport - And we're now in the phase where employees are thrashing them as well.
Bring on the machines.
There is a place like this north of Canal Street, I forget where thought, somewhere south of Lafayette.
I don't think this will be as popular with companies as people think. It will change how people order (anyone who doesn't think so doesn't understand the first thing about shopper insights). They will likely take forever just like at the Walmart self check out and cause longer lines. Plus no old person is going to ever go in a restaurant after the first time they see these things. They sit in McDonald's for hours with coffee to BS like it is a social event, not for convenience. These are McDonald's only remaining loyal customers... They're going to alienate them too?
I understand the potential longer waiting times, but I do believe that youth are more of a priority for companies like these. One of the reasons Wendy's is doing this is to attract youth. If they get them hooked early, they'll have them for longer. Lifetime value is more important.
The thing is that ordering doesn't have to be confined to a kiosk. All you need is an app and everyone can order off their phone. McDonald just announced a new app for mobile ordering (and delivery). Always puzzled every time I grab Chipotle for lunch why don't people order online and pick-up straight away rather than waiting 15 min in line.
Oh Mcdonalds is clearly stepping up their game. I haven't heard of this, do you have a link to the source?
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