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*Beep* *Beep*, Do You Want Fries With That? McDonald’s Tests First Automated Location


Earlier this month, McDonald’s unveiled an automated location near Fort Worth, Texas that utilizes (or perhaps maximizes) automation for the first time to such a large extent.

According to McDonald’s, customers can order their food ahead of time, go to the drive thru line, and have their food delivered out of a window by a machine.  (The below article has a Tik Tok video showing how this occurs).  Customers also have the option to go inside, order from a kiosk, and have their food prepared.  Reportedly, this location does have a few physical workers in place to help with certain orders.

McDonald’s has identified this automated location as a test concept and intended to serve its customers on the go.  (Notably, the location does not have seats or tables.)  Critics have been quick to point out this is likely the first step by McDonald’s to cut back its labor force and phase out a large scale of its workers.  With rising labor costs around the country, this is probably part of the reason for the automation.  Others have criticized the concept for a lack of human interaction.

Will this automated location be a one off or the start of a wave of automated locations across the country? If I were a betting man, I would suspect we will see this concept branch out in the coming months.


For additional information:  https://www.wsj.com/articles/krispy-kreme-outlines-plans-to-automate-doughnut-production-reduce-debt-11671231210?mod=mhp

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