As far back as 2016, I wrote that many restaurants, especially fast food, would replace wait staff with self service kiosks and app-based ordering as a way to save on labor costs. And they have and post-pandemic, self service may become standard: Ordering a meal at Steak ‘n Shake is about to look a little … Continue reading Steak ‘n Shake ending table and order service, replacing with self serve kiosks
Vending machines are so 20th century. Robotic food kiosks, in this case, latte making espresso stands, are coming to San Francisco International Airport.
This happens when wage and benefit requirements rise as capital costs (robots/automation) fall rapidly: “Wendy’s plans to install self-ordering kiosks in 1,000 of its stores — about 16 percent of its locations — by the end of the year.” Source: Wendy’s to install ordering kiosks in 1,000 stores this year
Spotted by me, recently: As labor and benefits costs rise – and tech costs fall – we will see much more of this. McDonald’s is adding self order kiosks and mobile order apps – which will reduce the number of staff needed to process orders at the front. See story at Money.CNN.com.
While waiting for an order to be fulfilled, I count the number of staff working at fast food restaurants, espresso cafes, and so on. In the past, there were usually 6 to 9 workers at typical fast food restaurants. Currently, there is a staff shortage – yet no coherent and consistent explanation as to why. … Continue reading How many workers on the job at a typical fast food restaurant?
This blog has long pointed out that costs of automating work functions have plummeted just as the costs of labor and benefits have escalated. Naturally, many businesses will invest in tech to lower costs. Investments in automation were going to be happening anyway – but various labor laws are encouraging the adoption of automation more … Continue reading Automation is coming but new laws may accelerate its adoption
McDonald’s installing more automation, both to reduce labor costs and to trick consumers into purchasing more than they were planning to purchase.
McDonald’s plans to add kiosks to thousands of stores nationwide to supplement in-store employees, transforming a part of America’s most iconic food chain. Customers often buy more from a screen than a person, the company found. Source: kgw.com | You buy more from a kiosk than a person, McDonald’s says. So expect a lot more … Continue reading Customers who use restaurant self-order systems buy more items, than if ordering thru store employees
San Diego raised its minimum wage very rapidly. Data suggests that while the wage hike benefits those with minimum wage jobs, it is also rapidly eliminating low wage jobs all together. Read the entire (and long) story for the details. This blog has long noted that while automation is going to happen regardless, rapid minimum … Continue reading San Diego’s minimum wage experiment accelerating adoption of automation
Our local Albertson’s, in Oregon, removed self service checkouts during the summer. Self service checkouts have been seen as a semi-automated way of reducing labor costs, and for some customers, a faster checkout experience. However, Albertson’s grocery is now removing self service checkouts from additional (but not all) stores in Southern California. “Still, self-service is … Continue reading Some Albertson’s stores eliminating self service checkouts