Remember when McDonald's workers were complaining that they deserve $15 an hour? McDonald's has responded and these employees better start looking for new work. Self-order kiosks will be in every McDonald's by 2020.
Over the next two years, 1,000 stores will get the new kiosks every quarter. Out of the 14,000 domestic outlets, there are about 3,500 of them that already have the self-service kiosks. Stores located in Australia, Canada and the U.K. are ahead of pace compared to the stores in America.
While speaking with CNBC, McDonald's CEO Steve Easterbrook that when customers are at the kiosks, they continue to browse longer and order more food. They are simply giving the consumer what they want: more options.
If you think about only two years ago, if you were a customer there were two ways you can get served at McDonald's. You walked to the front counter and line up and take your drink and find a table or you go through the drive through. We're introducing many options. They can order through mobile, they can come curbside and we'll run it out as well as the existing traditional ways. You can pay in different ways and customize your food in different ways. I think we're trying to add more choice and variety.
Terri Hickey, spokesperson of McDonalds, told BuzzFeed News that there will still be cashiers in the restaurants. Hickey said their restaurants will "still have cashiers — kiosks provide another option for customers to order and pay. We’re finding with kiosks, customers tend to feel less rushed, take their time, browse the menu, and often order more."
Hickey also stated that the cashiers who will be displaced will now serve in other positions like "Guest Experience Leaders and table service."
Well, if the kiosks are more effective and result in more profit, how much longer will McDonald's still employ cashiers? The #FightFor15 forced McDonald's to take action and will cost many of them their jobs altogether.
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