Mcdonalds new ordering system
Discussion
Jambo85 said:
Well either until they take cash or everyone has contactless - no breakthrough in technology is required for the former and I think within 5 years we'll have the latter, probably what McD's were banking on when they made the decision to go for cashless machines.
The table service aspect is interesting, but don't forget about the large number of takeaway orders were it isn't an issue.
I haven't done drive through for years - is that still being done by humans? That's the next step if so, machine ordering to replace the first window, and then a robot to deliver at the second ...!
Given McDs have wireless networks I'd have thought we're not far away from having a phone app that you use to order and pay for your food.The table service aspect is interesting, but don't forget about the large number of takeaway orders were it isn't an issue.
I haven't done drive through for years - is that still being done by humans? That's the next step if so, machine ordering to replace the first window, and then a robot to deliver at the second ...!
48k said:
Given McDs have wireless networks I'd have thought we're not far away from having a phone app that you use to order and pay for your food.
Like this?https://www.mcdonalds.com/gb/en-gb/good-to-know/in...
I went in a McD's the other day (my guilty pleasure is the Pancake and Sausage Meal if I've been up early for work).
A very perky young lady tried to entice me to use the self-ordering interface but I demurred, mainly because I always try and get a couple of packs of butter thrown in (cos, y'know, it's a bit healthy otherwise).
As it was early morning and quite low on staff, the same young lady then had to come round behind the counter and take my order.
I did rather think that having to try and entice me to use an electronic ordering system that could replace her was rather like making someone dig their own grave.
A very perky young lady tried to entice me to use the self-ordering interface but I demurred, mainly because I always try and get a couple of packs of butter thrown in (cos, y'know, it's a bit healthy otherwise).
As it was early morning and quite low on staff, the same young lady then had to come round behind the counter and take my order.
I did rather think that having to try and entice me to use an electronic ordering system that could replace her was rather like making someone dig their own grave.
cuprabob said:
48k said:
Given McDs have wireless networks I'd have thought we're not far away from having a phone app that you use to order and pay for your food.
Like this?https://www.mcdonalds.com/gb/en-gb/good-to-know/in...
Johnnytheboy said:
I did rather think that having to try and entice me to use an electronic ordering system that could replace her was rather like making someone dig their own grave.
My parents local Lloyds Bank (reasonable sized one too) has been doing this since mid 2016 with their counter staff walking you over to, and directing you to use, the cash machines / deposit scanning machines, etc, rather than the till / desk part of an efficiency drive. Ironically it actually made queues longer in branch and rather than using the machines, it was quicker to go to the 1 remaining till / desk than wait to be assisted by the staff at the machines 
As expected, signs went up in branch last week saying how from Jan '18 onwards the branch will now only be staffed by a maximum of 2 or 3 "greeters" whose job will be to assist people using the machines just like the self scan in Tesco, etc. For any services not covered by the machines / greeters it appears you'll either have to book an appointment or go to another branch.
I guess the staff doing the machine training for the best part of the last year must have known they were going to be out of a job at some point whilst they were doing that
MiniMan64 said:
How long before “proper” restaurants have touch screens in the table to make your order?
Washington National Airport, 3 years ago. Had tablets built into the table where you could order food and drink. Thought it was novel at the time and made good use of the limited amount of space they had for a short order restaurant. As for Macca's, seems to be going backwards near me, most of the time instead of using the speaker box in the drive through, there's a person taking your order. I wouldn't describe my neck of the woods as Old Money either, more cashed up chav (you know the type with Tommy Hilfiger tracksuit, GC hat, used range rover diesel, fake gucci handbags, entitlement complex and debt to pay for it all).
Personally I prefer using the screens. Instead of waiting 10 minutes behind phone-holes, the indecisive and the lonely pensioner getting their third free refill, I walk straight to the furthest screen and make my order.
craigjm said:
MiniMan64 said:
How long before “proper” restaurants have touch screens in the table to make your order?
They are not the most hygienic of things though. Use your hands to make your order on a screen where someone has just finished using it after wiping their ass in the loo and not washing their hands. Then eat your food with your hands This is how kids end up getting asthma and stuff at rates exponentially above anything previous generations ever experienced. People are terrified about anything that isn't completely sterile, and as a result their kids build up no resistance to anything.
Ours have never been near an anti-sceptic wipe or anything similar in their lives, and in a combined 24 years of education to date have missed a grand total of three days due to illness. Meanwhile, they've got friends who are off here, there and everywhere with snuffles, upset stomachs and God only knows what else.
Sometimes I imagine that ours are surrounded by an invisible germ miasma to which they are impervious, but which preys on their mates relentlessly!
captain_cynic said:
As for Macca's, seems to be going backwards near me, most of the time instead of using the speaker box in the drive through, there's a person taking your order.
We usually wheel those people out into the DT lane at busy periods to take even more orders on the handhelds. It's an unusual sight these days though with more and more drive thrus having side by side order points.Kermit power said:
craigjm said:
MiniMan64 said:
How long before “proper” restaurants have touch screens in the table to make your order?
They are not the most hygienic of things though. Use your hands to make your order on a screen where someone has just finished using it after wiping their ass in the loo and not washing their hands. Then eat your food with your hands This is how kids end up getting asthma and stuff at rates exponentially above anything previous generations ever experienced. People are terrified about anything that isn't completely sterile, and as a result their kids build up no resistance to anything.
Ours have never been near an anti-sceptic wipe or anything similar in their lives, and in a combined 24 years of education to date have missed a grand total of three days due to illness. Meanwhile, they've got friends who are off here, there and everywhere with snuffles, upset stomachs and God only knows what else.
Sometimes I imagine that ours are surrounded by an invisible germ miasma to which they are impervious, but which preys on their mates relentlessly!
Alex L said:
captain_cynic said:
As for Macca's, seems to be going backwards near me, most of the time instead of using the speaker box in the drive through, there's a person taking your order.
We usually wheel those people out into the DT lane at busy periods to take even more orders on the handhelds. It's an unusual sight these days though with more and more drive thrus having side by side order points.craigjm said:
Surely this cooked to order idea slows the drive through down though doesn't it? they were fast in the days when everything was pre-made and you could sling the nearly out of time crap out through the DT windows. I still don't understand people using the DT and then park in the carpark and eat
Initially yes when "Made for You" was rolled out but in theory you shouldn't notice a huge amount of difference in production time.Nor me, it's a right PITA having to factor in recirculation into our car parks to allow people to leave the DT lane and then park up.
Kermit power said:
craigjm said:
MiniMan64 said:
How long before “proper” restaurants have touch screens in the table to make your order?
They are not the most hygienic of things though. Use your hands to make your order on a screen where someone has just finished using it after wiping their ass in the loo and not washing their hands. Then eat your food with your hands This is how kids end up getting asthma and stuff at rates exponentially above anything previous generations ever experienced. People are terrified about anything that isn't completely sterile, and as a result their kids build up no resistance to anything.
Don't forget peanuts.
Don't start me on peanuts!
Alex L said:
craigjm said:
Surely this cooked to order idea slows the drive through down though doesn't it? they were fast in the days when everything was pre-made and you could sling the nearly out of time crap out through the DT windows. I still don't understand people using the DT and then park in the carpark and eat
Initially yes when "Made for You" was rolled out but in theory you shouldn't notice a huge amount of difference in production time.Nor me, it's a right PITA having to factor in recirculation into our car parks to allow people to leave the DT lane and then park up.
“Made for you” isn’t a new concept, back in my day they were known as “grill orders”...same concept, same options, add and take away items as you wanted.
They also didn’t hold production up, 12/12 turn lay on the regular grill and 6/6 turn lay on the mac grill....those were the days! :-)
wobert said:
I used to work at Store 121 back in the late 80s / early 90s whilst I was at college.
“Made for you” isn’t a new concept, back in my day they were known as “grill orders”...same concept, same options, add and take away items as you wanted.
They also didn’t hold production up, 12/12 turn lay on the regular grill and 6/6 turn lay on the mac grill....those were the days! :-)
When I was at uni some friends worked at BK and they used to make us double whopper versions of the mushroom double Swiss. They were awesome bespoke order burgers that they shouldn’t have made but should really even now be on the real menu “Made for you” isn’t a new concept, back in my day they were known as “grill orders”...same concept, same options, add and take away items as you wanted.
They also didn’t hold production up, 12/12 turn lay on the regular grill and 6/6 turn lay on the mac grill....those were the days! :-)
wobert said:
I used to work at Store 121 back in the late 80s / early 90s whilst I was at college.
“Made for you” isn’t a new concept, back in my day they were known as “grill orders”...same concept, same options, add and take away items as you wanted.
They also didn’t hold production up, 12/12 turn lay on the regular grill and 6/6 turn lay on the mac grill....those were the days! :-)
Clearly made an impression to remember the store number - I see that’s Worthing.“Made for you” isn’t a new concept, back in my day they were known as “grill orders”...same concept, same options, add and take away items as you wanted.
They also didn’t hold production up, 12/12 turn lay on the regular grill and 6/6 turn lay on the mac grill....those were the days! :-)
Indeed, not entirely a new concept but now all orders are made to order rather than the select few
Alex L said:
wobert said:
I used to work at Store 121 back in the late 80s / early 90s whilst I was at college.
“Made for you” isn’t a new concept, back in my day they were known as “grill orders”...same concept, same options, add and take away items as you wanted.
They also didn’t hold production up, 12/12 turn lay on the regular grill and 6/6 turn lay on the mac grill....those were the days! :-)
Clearly made an impression to remember the store number - I see that’s Worthing.“Made for you” isn’t a new concept, back in my day they were known as “grill orders”...same concept, same options, add and take away items as you wanted.
They also didn’t hold production up, 12/12 turn lay on the regular grill and 6/6 turn lay on the mac grill....those were the days! :-)
Indeed, not entirely a new concept but now all orders are made to order rather than the select few
Went from zero to Training Squad in under 12 months (as a part timer)!
I used to enjoy working there as it had a unique feel.
We had a great bunch of people and that was borne out by us winning “Store of the Year” in either 89 or 90, I can’t remember which and getting a paid trip to Alton Towers for our troubles....
In those days, franchises were few and far between, and then only given to loyal employees in recognition of their contribution to the brand’s growth in the UK.
I believe now, franchises are no longer in the minority and the service (or lack of) shows in most stores.
We took pride in what we did and how we did it!
I even worked with Ronald McDonald himself on one of his charity Big Mac Days, where all the takings from Big Macs nationally went to the Ronald McDonald House Charity....
In later years I used the Ronald McDonald House at Moorfields in London, when my son needed treatment there at short notice....
What goes around, comes around....
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