Hook those self serve ordering kiosks to the burger robot - and PRESTO! - Granite Grok

Hook those self serve ordering kiosks to the burger robot – and PRESTO!

Robot Hamburger makerThe unions will have been responsible for helping the process of killing off more entry level jobs, given their insistence that entry level jobs that require no to little skills pay the same as midlevel skilled jobs.  An economically bad play – except to buff the image of such ilk like the SEIU (the most socialist / totalitarian of the union thug movement).  Now, that which was already in process in the EU is now coming here – so, will the unions “for” the fast food employees apologize for losing those jobs?  Emphasis mine, reformatted:

McDonald’s Corp. outlined plans for what it called fundamental changes to its business as it reported one of its worst quarterly profit declines in years, driven by problems in nearly every major part of its business. 

The 30% decline in net income for the period ended Sept. 30 was the latest in a string of disappointing results for the world’s largest restaurant chain. It is struggling with weak sales in Asia, Europe and, most important, its home market in the U.S.

In the U.S., an increasingly complicated menu has slowed service and McDonald’s once reliable base of younger customers have defected to fast-casual chains boasting customized ordering and fresh ingredients, including Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., and specialty-burger places such as Five Guys.  McDonald’s has focused so far on efforts including increased staffing at busy times, and has shaken up its management ranks, including replacing the head of its U.S. business for the second time in less than two years. But the changes have yet to boost sales or profit.

Increased staffing – and that has been part of the profit problem.  Yes, delivery of food  must, by definition in this category, be fast and that only happens when there are folks to take the orders, set up the food, and put it into the hands of the customers.  But more staff means more money – and trying to “customize” an order (e.g., the Youngest hates pickles and tomatoes on his hamburgers and McDonald’s seems to get that request right only about 70% of the time – about on par when TMEW orders the chicken wrap – only gets the right version about 80%).

…In response, McDonald’s Chief Executive Don Thompson on Tuesday said it would simplify its menu starting in January, in part to remove low-selling products, and plans to give the company’s 21 domestic regions more autonomy in rolling out products that are locally relevant.  By the third quarter of next year, McDonald’s also plans to fully roll out new technology in some markets to make it easier for customers to order and pay digitally and to give people the ability to customize their orders, part of what the company terms the “McDonald’s Experience of the Future” initiative. “The key to our success will be our ability to deliver a more relevant McDonald’s experience for all of our customers,” Mr. Thompson said. “Customers want to personalize their meals with locally relevant ingredients. They also want to enjoy eating in a contemporary, inviting atmosphere. And they want choices in how they order, choices in what they order and how they’re served.”

Watch all those tablets be rolled out in the stores and the ability to order from the desktop, tablet, and smartphones.  Orders will be right, choice making made easier, and when those orders are queued up to the Burger Robot, well, what will SEIU say when those low level workers are shown their replacements?

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