McDonald’s, White Castle test ordering kiosks that allow for burger customization

[FrodosPet]

Will anyone still have a job in 10-20 years?

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http://www.qsrmagazine.com/exclusives/burgers-design

Recent technology enhancements by White Castle and McDonald’s show that even traditional quick-service burger chains are considering letting patrons customize their orders.

Last month, White Castle added two touch-screen ordering kiosks at a renovated restaurant in its hometown of Columbus, Ohio. It is the only restaurant in the family-owned, 406-unit chain to feature the kiosks, which are part of a pilot project. The large screens allow customers to order their burgers exactly as they like them in the privacy of the kiosk area, says White Castle vice president Jamie Richardson.

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“Younger customers are starting to expect more from brands, and kiosks are already popular in Europe and other countries. It also creates better efficiency between the customer and the back of the house, and reduces order errors,” says Darren Tristano, executive vice president of Technomic.

Burger quick serves’ increasing adoption of kiosks and tablets makes perfect sense in terms of reducing labor costs, enhancing customization, and standardizing menu information and marketing messages, says another industry analyst.

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[elleng]

1. How clever of them!

"Hold the mayo, Hold the lettuce, Special orders don't upset us!"

[hobbit709]

2. Does anyone think that will actually improve the quality of the crap they call food?

[belzabubba333]

4. it's not about quality

[hobbit709]

5. At those places it never was.

[KamaAina]

3. I rather like the idea

I could get a burger without yucky mustard.

[Kingofalldems]

6. I wish Little Tavern in DC was still around.

[Glassunion]

7. Yes people will have jobs in 10 to 20 years.

We still have bank tellers 37 years after ATMs came around.

Out here in the East Coast, there are many stores that use this technology, and it has not effected their staffing levels. Sheets, Wawa, QuickChek, etc... This technology is not new, been around in some of these places for about a decade. McDonald’s and White Castle are just really late to the game.