Wendy’s is the latest fast food chain to automate the ordering process. The restaurant announced this week that it will add self-order kiosks to about 1,000 of its restaurants by the end of the year. McDonald’s and Panera Bread also have similar features.
This move, of course, makes some workers nervous about job loss in the fast food industry. But the restaurant claims that it should improve productivity by allowing more workers to focus on actually making the food.
In addition, a consulting firm that does research in the foodservice industry has found that younger consumers actually prefer automated ordering over dealing with an actual cashier. So this may just be the way that all restaurants are headed eventually anyway.
Sometimes It’s Adapt or Die…
It’s important for restaurants and all different types of businesses to keep an eye on trends like this. It’s possible that automation and different tech innovations could make restaurants like Wendy’s and McDonald’s stand out. And those that don’t adapt may be left behind.
…But Not Always
This doesn’t mean, however, that businesses should jump on every single trend right away. Kiosks that don’t work properly or that customers don’t actually want could hurt these early adopters. But if they’ve done the research and come up with a system that will actually work for their specific customers, it’s likely to be a move in the right direction.
Wendy’s Photo via Shutterstock
David Rittenhouse
Minimum wage proponents here you go…. Now these Wendy’s owners will eliminate at a minimum of 1000+ unskilled starter positions. So those candidates better go to school, take out students loans, and get degrees which will mean little or go on the streets..
As to the owners of Wendys shame on you … no more calculating payroll, or paying your share of the payroll tax burden, unemployment, social security and Medicare. Who is going to be liable for workmen s compensation injuries if there aren’t any. Paying sick time on the Sunday Am shift or worry about discrimination charges, sexual harassment charges … c Why its almost un American… almost!!! All because you don’t want to pay unskilled workers more than our military base level member’s earn
For the customers how can you go wrong the kiosk will have your attention, be able to count change and gets you order right it the unskilled worker in the back can read the orders…
What is the world coming too
Aira Bongco
Interesting. I found a mechanism like this in a sushi place and I think that it is pretty amazing for the orders are taken in front of you, the chance for error is minimal.