Who wants an apple pi byte?
A social media user went viral by sharing a preview within the first-ever robotic McDonald’s.
The restaurant – outside of Fort Price, Texas – has an “advance order lane” where diners receive their food via a conveyor belt; takeaway ordering kiosks; and a shelf for collecting meals.
“The technology at this restaurant not only allows us to serve our customers in recent, progressive ways, it also gives our restaurant team the power to focus more on ordering speed and accuracy, which makes the experience more enjoyable for everybody,” Keith Vanecek, franchisee running a test restaurant, explained within the statement this month.
A 29-second clip posted last week by a TikTok user @foodiemunster shows an empty restaurant with no seating. The machine pushes orders to customers for a drive-thru.
In its statement, McDonald’s noted that the restaurant is “significantly smaller” than its traditional stores because it is geared towards people dining at home or on the go.
There may be a room for couriers to choose up orders; “several” parking spaces to be picked up on the curb; and designated parking spaces for delivery drivers.
The fast-paced foodie footage – which has 1.3 million views and counting – sparks a heated reaction from the McFans.
“In the event that they forget an item, who do you tell the robot?” one TikToker swallowed. “It defeats the aim of using the drive-through if you have got to go inside.”
“No thanks. I really like the individuals who work there. I need to listen to voices and see faces. I need to see smiles in each windows!!!!” one other winced.
But others like it.
“Finally my order can be fast and accurate,” one user toasted.
“Amazing. No more attitude on the counter,” one other exasperated.
And everybody seems to agree, robots or not, the ice cream machine will still be fried.
McDonald’s stressed that the restaurant is in a “testing and learning” phase and is fidgeting with the concept as a part of its “Accelerating the Arches” plan, which goals to deliver on five areas: “Purpose, Mission, Values, Pillars of Growth and our foundation of running great restaurants.” “
The cheeseburger conglomerate has been making headlines currently, with a lady claiming to have decorated her Christmas tree with old Pleased Meal toys; a drunk woman claims she by chance ordered 160 chicken nuggets to have fun her World Cup victory; and a lady giving birth at McDonald’s in Atlanta nicknamed her baby “Little Nugget”.
Hopefully the robots are trained on the job and delivery.