Thursday, September 19, 2024
HomeTechnologyMcDonald's rolls out self-serve cash kiosks that could make cashiers obsolete

McDonald’s rolls out self-serve cash kiosks that could make cashiers obsolete

Published on

spot_img



McDonald’s is rolling out a new digital kiosk that can accept cash and spit out change – a move that could pave the way for the fast-food giant to scrap the need for human cashiers.

The world’s largest burger chain had installed self-order screens that accepted credit card payments at most of its locations in 2020, but those kiosks still required cash-paying customers to complete their purchases at the counter.

The new cash kiosks — which have been deployed at just a few restaurants so far — will allow Big Mac lovers to bypass that process, according to Bloomberg, which first reported the story.

McDonald’s is rolling out a new digital kiosk across its US locations that can accept cash and spit out change. Tannen Maury/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

“These changes allow franchisees to meet our customers’ increased desire for digital options, while improving speed and accuracy,” a spokesperson for McDonald’s told The Post on Wednesday. 

Screens behind the counter at McDonald’s locations normally display the full menu. Now, they will highlight select items and encourage guests to order at the self-use kiosks or on the McDonald’s app, the company said.

The cash kiosks are optional for the company’s franchisees – who own and manage around 95% of the roughly 14,300 McDonald’s locations in the US.

Less than 2% of these franchisees have opted to use the new kiosks and screens so far, McDonald’s USA told The Post.

The company, which employs around 2 million workers, said it does not have a timeline for a widespread rollout.

The new screens will not result in job cuts, the McDonald’s spokesperson insisted.

The focus on self-order screens comes as states have been passing minimum wage hikes. foodiemunster/TikTok

Instead, cashiers will be reassigned to other roles like bringing food to customers who ordered online or leading improvements on “guest experience.”

See also  Are we one step closer to a world without chemo?

But worries remain that the continued push to automation will render cashier roles obsolete in the future — especially in the wake of California’s hiking the minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 an hour.

The cash kiosks are optional for McDonald’s franchisees, less than 2% of whom have opted to use them so far, McDonald’s USA told The Post. Getty Images

Taco Bell and Panera have used similar self-order screens at their restaurants.

Customers have embraced these new options, which can speed up wait times and reward loyal app customers with discounts and other perks.

McDonald’s has reaped the benefits, since mobile app customers tend to be more loyal to companies and buy more add-ons like French fries with their orders.

Orders made through the app, self-order screens or a delivery service made up more than 40% of McDonald’s sales in top markets during last year’s third quarter, the company said.

“Digital is going to continue to grow for us,” McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski told analysts in July. “We’re going to get more and more customers on our digital platform.”



Source link

Latest articles

Poway council gives final OK to battery energy storage system at business park – San Diego Union-Tribune

The Poway City Council on Sept. 17 gave final approval for construction of...

Trump looking to appeal to Jewish voters on campaign trail

Trump looking to appeal to Jewish voters on campaign trail - CBS News ...

Halle Berry Says She Doesn’t Want Her Kids to ‘Depend’ on Her

Halle Berry is raising her kids to be independent individuals. At a...

The Best Hot Sauce, According to Bon Appétit Editors

I have a pretty high heat tolerance, which makes finding satisfying hot sauces...

More like this

Poway council gives final OK to battery energy storage system at business park – San Diego Union-Tribune

The Poway City Council on Sept. 17 gave final approval for construction of...

Trump looking to appeal to Jewish voters on campaign trail

Trump looking to appeal to Jewish voters on campaign trail - CBS News ...

Halle Berry Says She Doesn’t Want Her Kids to ‘Depend’ on Her

Halle Berry is raising her kids to be independent individuals. At a...